A new start. 

The girls tennis team started their season with a high amount of confidence, winning matches against North Bullitt and Assumption on March 12. They continued with back to back wins against Manual on March 13 and Collins on March 14. 

The Lady Chargers have a focus on teamwork this year with the introduction of a new JV team. With the team being split, they are making more effort to bond with each other on and off of the court. “I think the biggest part of helping the team is honestly just like getting to know them outside of tennis,” senior Tessa Tibone said. Tibone and senior Lilly Smith are both team captains and are working together to help the team grow. “I feel like when you’re friends with people you’re playing with, you just play better,” Tibone said. 

The team is also working individually to enhance their skills. “Last season I really worked on my backhand because as a freshman, that was my first time playing, like competitively, so I only really knew how to do my forehand. And so last year I really like tried to do my backhand,” junior Kennedy Scott said. Because of the team’s increased size, there are a lot more smaller things they have to work on. The veteran players play a vital role in helping the newer players build on their newfound skills during their practices. 

The girls have a significant amount of confidence about the rest of the season. “Our goal this year is to win region as a team because last year we lost by one point,” Scott said. Although their former loss of the regional championship was disappointing, it is their primary motivation driving them forward this year. As mentioned previously, putting a focus on teamwork is one of the main strategies they are using to motivate themselves on the court. 

The team’s next match will be at home against Thomas Nelson on March 28 at 5 p.m.