For many on the girls tennis team, this year, more than most, is a very important season. With the start of the season quickly approaching it will be the beginning of the end for the many seniors on the team as it will be their final season in high school.
In total, there are seven seniors on the girls tennis team this year. They say this season will be very emotional for them so they are hoping to go out with a bang.
“I have grown strong friendships with a lot of my teammates,” senior Makynna Oconitrillo said. “It will be hard having to depart from my underclassmen friends and our coaches. I hope to grow stronger than last season.”
Like Oconitrillo, the other seniors have also set many goals for themselves this year.
“I definitely want to keep improving my serves, but I really want to focus on my volleys this year,” senior Diana Cabrera said. “The goals I have for the team is definitely placing first or second in many tournaments.”
Lindsey Wessling, another senior on the team, has also made specific goals for herself.
“I would like to become a better doubles player as I’m still new to it, and I hope our team can win lots of tournaments and state,” Wessling said.
Coach Jonn Patterson has high expectations for the seniors this year in both their game and being pivotal members of the team.
“They all are leaders of the team,” Patterson said. “[My goals for them are] to lead their younger teammates in practice and play habits.”
Many of the seniors have taken a mentor role on the team this season, helping the younger players improve their skills and making sure there is a strong team bond.
“As a senior, I try to encourage others to do their best and actually try,” Cabrera said. “For me, I try to encourage my teammates to do better and that they can do it.”
Although the season isn’t yet underway, they are hard at work in conditioning, working on improving their skills.
“We are practicing for the upcoming season by pre-conditioning,” Wessling said. “We’ve been doing a lot of workouts and trying to focus on our footwork.”
Overall the girls tennis team has a big season ahead of them, specifically for the seniors, with this year being their last chance to leave their mark on their high school tennis career.