By Kayla Chavier
Staff Writer
On Tuesday, May 26th, WA’s Girls’ tennis team was defeated by Wayland with a score of 4-1. Despite this unfortunate defeat, this was the girls’ Senior Night, and was still a special occasion.
“Our seniors have been a big part of our team for four years now. Everybody has big shoes to fill next year, they’re going to leave some gapping holes,” said Coach Tracy Capone.
Senior Katie Satko played singles matches while junior Sydney Kim and seniors Janice Huang and Nicole Huang played doubles. There were close matches, but most of the girls were unable to win any of them. However, in the game with Janice and Kim, the girls played intensely to win a tie-breaker after they lost the first match and won the second.
“As far as playing they are valuable and impact players, but more importantly they are great leaders [and] role models; they make good decisions, they’re all about team spirit, and they are positive and supportive for their teammates,” said Capone.
Under sweltering heat of nearly 90 degrees, the girls competed with vigor and determination. Although the team did not win this game, they still left the courts with smiles and faces beaming of success.
When asked about the impact of tennis on their high school careers, the seniors had a few thoughts regarding what the team and this sport meant to them.
“This year I’m ranked third, so with that I have some leniency. It’s really wherever Tracy needs me. I like being able to help the team wherever I am, that’s what I like about senior year,” said Satko.
Capone admires these girls’ ability to lead, encourage fellow teammates, and be involved as much as possible in the spirit of the team.
“You really need your teammates to embrace and support each other because it is such an individual sport. Hopefully the younger kids will learn from them and carry that through. We’ll miss them a lot,” said Capone.
Like Satko, both Janice and Nicole plan to take a break from tennis and may possibly pursue the sport as a club sport in college. However, tennis has meant more to them than just a sport.
“I’ve been playing since I was in sixth grade and the tennis team in general is like a family. All us girls, we have each others’ backs, and it’s really nice to be able to come back every season and get to play together and get to work together towards a common goal,” said Nicole.
Moving forward, the girls appreciate all the hard work it took to get on the team but will remember how the team impacted them for their high school career.
“Every single year is pretty challenging. I think I learned a lot more about myself, which is a little cliche, but I was a little confused about myself personality wise. To be honest, making up to the team is a little nerve-racking, but once the season starts, it’s the best part of the day,” said Janice.
[doptg id=161]
