The varsity tennis team placed 5th at conference, following a 7-3 record season.
“I felt as a team we could manage to get top four in conference,” Brooke Cornell, junior, said.
The team tied for fourth place with Plainfield East last season, but this year with two new teams in the conference, placement across the board was anyone’s game. The team is optimistic about how they will perform at sectionals.
“I think the girls this season definitely have a chance to [perform well], they are always working hard they are always encouraging each other,” Jaclyn Kwiatt, coach, said.
The team had a substantial shift in the roster this season; many of the varsity girls graduated last year. Junior Kaylie Dahms has transitioned from playing singles to doubles.
“It’s a totally different game, but I was really lucky to have Brooke, who I’ve played with before to show me the ropes,” Dahms said.
Whether they are practicing or playing a match, the team is out on the courts six days a week, causing tight bonds to form between teammates.
“The team is almost like a second family because everyone is so close,” Cornell said.
After an individual game has finished, it has become commonplace to sit and cheer on another teammate.
“This year is probably the best cheering we’ve done for each other,” Sara Mohler, senior, said.”
“When there is one more team left playing, we will all go sit and we will watch, and we will cheer them on and that definitely has helped them get that win,” Mohler said.
Kwiatt, who has been the head girls’ varsity coach for five years, believes the girls team this year has had a really great connection that has contributed to their winning.
“This season has been great; I have a really great group of girls in terms of tennis talent. And overall this team has been good in their level of support to each other,” Kwiatt said. “It is just because of the combination of kids.”
Along with varsity, the junior varsity team has also made strides in the competition season.
“Our JV team has been doing awesome this season,” Kwiatt said, “They are all very extremely positive girls, they are very competitive.”
The junior varsity team ended the season with a 9-1 record.
“The girls are currently second place out of eleven in the conference. They’re really really strong, they’ve done a fantastic job,” Kwiatt said.
The varsity girls team will be back in action tomorrow, Saturday Oct. 19 at sectionals, where they hope to qualify for state.