Storm swings to victory

On Wednesday, October 1, the varsity girls tennis team traveled to Virginia to compete against Highland School, securing their first victory of the season with a strong 7–2 score. With the graduation of last year’s top three players, the Blue Team has had to adjust to a new lineup and dynamic. Despite the challenges of rebuilding and finding consistency, the victory serves as strong motivation for the matches ahead.

Head Coach Ken Craig noted, “Our team performed very well, and had a really great ethos. While Highland was not the strongest opponent, we were able to play at our own standards and finish the games thoroughly.” Ava Marathe ’26 added, “We were able to effectively communicate throughout our games and apply the strategies we’ve practiced in play.”

With a new team dynamic, the players have had to step up. Aneska Pospisilova ’26 said, “There is definitely a significant adjustment with the new team, but our spirits were not low.”  Amy Wang ’27 added, “Everyone has a good mindset as a team. We were all willing to come to every practice, and there is a community both inside and outside of the court.” 

This season young players have had the chance to hone their skills in varsity training. Coach Craig said, “There are many fundamental issues that we need to target this season. We need to make the other team earn the point instead of making unforced errors.” Maddie Gray ’26 said, “ I think we need to focus on our serves since half the match starts with it. A good serve can give us a crucial advantage in half the games.”

Beyond technical skills, the team is also focusing on the mental game. Maddie Stonebraker ’27 reflected, “ Something we should work on is our mindset during the games. We should not dwell on the mistakes we made and instead  focus on the points we are playing.”  Her doubles teammate Karin Sugiyama ’27 said, “ Our team should work on our willingness to win.” Players have also discussed staying calm under pressure and trusting their training when matches get close.

Coach Craig plans on addressing the issue development through specific drills and practices. “ We will be continuing to work on our keep-away drills to practice our thinking and placement of balls during games.” Gray  added, “ We need to hit the ball deeper so it’s harder to return, attack more aggressively, and focus on placing our shots at sharper angles.”  Wang said, “We tend to die out in the second set, pointing to the team’s ongoing focus on improving fitness and endurance. Coach Craig has also emphasized the importance of footwork, ensuring players move efficiently and stay balanced during long rallies.

As the season continues, the Blue Storm hopes to build on its momentum, improve its skillset, and strengthen its mindset in preparation for MAPLs. The win against Highland shows progress in adapting to a new lineup and building communication on court.