The girls tennis team has upped their game this year, acquiring double the amount of wins they had from the previous year. 

Their captain, senior Annie Meyer, has been a member for two years, and she is proud of how far the team has come this year. 

“I think it’s because of the players this year- we did off season training. And that is why we are winning so much more. Last year they hadn’t been playing during their off season, and the only time they played was during the season, or right before the season, which was during camp,” Meyer said. 

During the matches, the girls cannot actually play together, as tennis is  played in singles or doubles. Regardless, they continue to support one another, even though they don’t collaborate directly. Their goal is to inspire each other and provide encouragement, regardless of the outcome.

“We do support each other behind the fences, and we’ll cheer each other on if we’re having a difficult time with points,” Meyer said.

Tom Perrin has been the girls tennis coach at South for the past three years. He is very proud of their accomplishments, and has seen the girls grow from just two wins, to six this year. The team held a summer camp for just a couple weeks, helping newer members adjust to the new atmosphere and sport. 

“Unlike a lot of sports, we will get people who have never played tennis before,” Perrin said. 

The girls are very close this year,

“It’s been a team that’s really been great about supporting each other, and it’s a very well bonded team. The older players have been good role models and encouragers for the younger players. It’s an individual sport, but also a team sport,” Perrin said. 

When it comes to tennis, there are six or seven matches going on at the same time. So, if a team wins four or more, they win the overall match. This year, the team has won six matches of their season. 

“When their individual matches are done at a tournament, they’ve been good about going to support their teammates on another court,” Perrin said. 

This year is sophomore Ava Gawlik’s first year on the team. She participated on junior varsity for this season. She already has won fourth place for a tournament with her doubles partner despite it only being her first year of playing tennis ever. 

“I was really scared because I didn’t know anything. But me and my friends started adapting, and getting the hang of it,” Gawlik said. 

“If you want to try tennis, do it now.  There will always be room for you to grow, and like in any other sport I think you’ll find your community and your family,” Meyer said.