Girls' tennis looks to bounce back

The sun rises over Arnold Field and the girls’ tennis team begins another day of training. As the team begins its warm-up, third-year coach, David O’Connell briefs them on the day’s practice. Players line up single file and shuffle through the agility ladder. Thirty minutes later O’Connell begins a series of volley progressions, correct- ing the team’s technical flaws. Continuous hard work and dedication have resulted in improved physical and mental abilities and phlegmatic footwork; early season upsets will be a thing of the past this fall.

Although it lost 10 seniors, the team has high hopes for the upcom- ing season. Seniors Emma Gogarnoiu, Noa Seligsohn, and Nina Pant solidify the line up while sophomores Simone Burde and Neve Brennan add an ad- ditional layer of strength. Not only is the team top-heavy, but the line up is also scattered with many promising freshmen and other sophomores in key doubles positions.

As Seligsohn explains, “Doubles should be a real a strength for our team this year. In our last two matches alone we won seven out of eight doubles matches.” According to Burde, the number one singles player, the team has been able to capitalize on its doubles potential, thus showing promising results against non-league opponents. This was evident as the team improved on last year’s 7-0 loss to Wissahickon, playing a closely contested 4-3 thriller, although eventually losing to the same foe. Also, a strong showing against North Penn ended in a dominant 7-0 victory. Doubles will be key to success this season, and the girls’ team has already hit the ground running.

Last year, although the team was in the top half of Central League, it failed to qualify for districts. This year, however, the girls have higher expectations, and a variety of measures have been taken to efficiently tackle any problems that may arise. The emphasis on doubles matches, playing along with comprehensive and dedicated training, will hopeful- ly lead to victories against local powerhouses: Conestoga, Harriton, and Garnett Valley. Coach O’Connell’s experience through the years along with a hardworking and unified team will result in postseason success. As the coach always says, “Positive thinking leads to positive results.”

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