Alison Aiken, Staff Reporter
Originally published April 22, 2016

This year’s tennis team has made it undefeated so far in their season. Their 5-0 record shows how the players have been working hard at practice to maintain their winning streak. The new players on varsity have stepped up to fill the shoes of last year’s graduates, along with the five returning players.

“I think our bond, chemistry and overall care for one another is what brings us to the level that we’re at,” junior captain Valentin Boyanov said. “When it comes down to game time, we know when to turn it on.”

The regular season has five more games, and after that playoffs start. The team initially goes to playoffs together, and if they lose, individual players compete in their own playoff games to make it as far as they can.

“Individually, we have a couple of strong girls who are most definitely capable of taking it beyond districts and hopefully into state,” Boyanov said. “The people who aren’t playing are always supporting the people on the court . . . we’re pretty loud.”

This year’s team is not only smaller, but it also has a fair number of players that are new to tennis or varsity. The team’s great chemistry has contributed to their domination over the schools they’ve played so far.

“I felt like last year we were more separated individually,” Boyanov said. “This year everyone has some sort of connection with each of the players on the team.”

Both tennis teams spend a lot of time doing team bonding activities, which has helped create the good relationships that the players have.

“This year there has been a big emphasis on tennis being a team sport,” junior Julia Jackson said. “Whether it’s at a theme practice, bowling night, or on a party bus to a match, the tennis team loves having a good time.”

As playoffs approach, players are preparing for their double and individual games to keep their team on track for possible state competitions.

“I think Melina [Monlux] and Anna [Peckham] will go far in the doubles category because they have great chemistry,” Jackson said. “They also coordinate their outfits.”