Did you recently come off the excitement of the U.S Open finals? Well, the girls varsity tennis team has wasted no time making a statement this season. With a recent second-place finish in a 32-team tournament at Jacobs High School and a fourth-place showing in another tough invitational, the team is already proving itself against tough competition.
“We’ve had a nice start to the season,” said Coach Graham, the head coach. “Getting second out of 32 teams at our first invite was a great way to kick things off. The girls have been working hard, and it’s been fun to see that pay off.”
That hard work is reflected in both individual and team goals. “A lot of the girls have personal goals, like improving their forehand or serve,” Coach Graham explained “but as a team, we’re focused on doing the best we can in our conference.”
He explains that their conference in particular is “a tough one” with competing schools like Hinsdale Central and Oak Park, who have some of the top programs in the state, and because of that, they know the competition will be intense.
This year’s team is a combination of returning talent and strong leadership from upperclassmen. Key players include sophomore Kendall Mehta; juniors Ella Gacek, Sammie Smith, Allison Kwiatkowski, and Mia Fanter; and senior Victoria Cresswell. “They’ve had a really nice start,” said Coach Graham.
That sense of unity sets this year’s squad apart. With most of last year’s core returning as stronger and more experienced players, the team dynamic has grown stronger. “Last year, many of them were sophomores competing against upperclassmen. Now they’re older, stronger, and it shows,” Coach Graham said.
“But the biggest difference is the team culture. Even players who aren’t competing on a Saturday still come out to cheer. That kind of support is special.” The team also focuses on mental toughness, especially in a sport where small mistakes can build up. “[Tennis] can be frustrating because you might have practiced a shot a thousand times and then miss it at a big moment,” Coach Graham explained. To combat this frustration the team works towards techniques like working on: “breathing, staying calm, and moving past mistakes so we can focus on the next point or match.”
So far, the highlight of the season came early, when the girls secured that second-place plaque at the Jacobs tournament. “It was awesome to see how excited they were,” said Coach Graham. “That moment really showed how much they care about each other and the team’s success.” Looking ahead, the team faces its toughest competition in the coming weeks, especially as conference play begins.
“These next matches will show us where we stand against some of the best teams in the area,” Coach Graham noted. “We’re ready to see what we can do.” With strong leadership, growing talent, and a tight-knit team culture, the varsity girls tennis team looks poised for an exciting season ahead.
