IRIS SMOOT/Acorn Newspapers COURT IS IN SESSION—Freshman Linsey Wilson, 14, left, and junior Tianna Wilson, 16, have been standout players for the Simi Valley High girls' tennis team so far this season. At first glance, Tianna and Linsey Wilson of Simi Valley High look very much alike. Just don't tell them that.

The two sisters are not twins, and Tianna, a junior, is quick to point out that she is two years older than Linsey, a freshman.

"We get the twin stuff all the time at school," Tianna Wilson said. "Most people are joking about it, but we still get it."

Although the two can argue they don't look alike, their performances on the tennis court for SVHS have been almost identical. They are the Pioneers' top two singles players.

With a record of 14-2, Tianna has the upper edge of the two sisters. Linsey isn't too shabby, either—the first-year Pioneer has a record of 12-2.

"It's hard to tell which one of us is better," Tianna Wilson said. "On any given day, either one of us can beat each other. We are each good in our own ways."

IRIS SMOOT/Acorn Newspapers SMASHING SUCCESS— Pioneer junior Tianna Wilson smashes a backhand return during Tuesday's match at Calabasas. Simi Valley lost 11-7, but rebounded by beating Malibu on Wednesday. Both sisters have had success, but they have earned it in different ways.

"We'll do drills to help each other out in practice, because on the court we're very different players," Linsey Wilson said.

"Tianna likes to rally for a long time, and I like to slice and hit the ball hard to try and get the game over with quickly. So when Tianna rallies with me, it teaches me patience. I teach her to defend against someone ending the game quickly."

Simi Valley head coach Rob Wickwire said the two sisters are different outside the court as well.

"Tianna is a little more serious off the court, and Linsey is more kick-back because she's younger," Wickwire said.

Tianna was the first to grab a tennis racket at the age of 5, when she was playing with her family at the Oak Ridge Athletic Club.

"When I first started playing, I didn't really know what I was doing," Tianna Wilson said. "I won my first tournament at 9, and that's when I started to realize I was pretty good."

It wasn't long before Linsey thought the sport might be fun as well, and once she was 5 she picked up a racket of her own.

"Tennis was basically a family activity, and I would watch everyone play and want to get involved myself," Linsey Wilson said. "When I first started playing tennis, I really liked hitting the ball hard, and I have ever since."

Wickwire believes a lot of the credit for the Wilson sisters' success should go to their parents.

"Linsey and Tianna are two of the nicest kids you'll ever meet, and it's because their parents did a great job of bringing them up," Wickwire said.

"There are a lot of tennis players in the area that are very good on the court and are just horrible kids off the court. Not the Wilson sisters. They're basically all about studying and playing tennis all the time."

Tianna transferred to Simi Valley from Santa Susana High last year. As a sophomore, Tianna Wilson was one of the key ingredients in the Pioneers' secondplace finish in the Marmonte League and the program's revival in the sport.

With Linsey now attending SVHS, Tianna said this season's been even more enjoyable.

"It's definitely more relaxing this season," Tianna Wilson said. "She helps calm my nerves."

Tianna tried to prepare Linsey for high school tennis as best she could.

"I like playing high school more than individual tournaments because it's not all about how you play," Linsey Wilson said. "There's a team element I really like. I want to do well for myself, but I also know my team needs me to do well for them."

SVHS is 5-1 overall and 0-1 in the Marmonte League. With the Wilson sisters at SVHS for a few more years, the future looks bright.

"Both of their games are solid," Wickwire said. "Tianna needs to work on her mental game a little bit, while Linsey just needs to play more matches and gain experience.

"We need our whole team to play well, but the responsibility is on the Wilson sisters to help lead us the next few years."