With a 9-4 regular season record and 5-2 in conference, the girls’ varsity tennis team rounds out their season with districts.
“First was team districts where we were eliminated in the second round and then came individual on Thursday, October 5,” varsity coach Jason Townsend said.
Although individuals placed in districts, the team overcame injuries and illnesses.
“[Senior] Rucha Vyas was out for most of the season before districts because of a hurt toe but it was a great surprise to have her back and benefiting the team,” Townsend said.
Along with Vyas, junior Madeline Chaney and senior Paige Smith had trouble at districts because they both got food poising.
“Before individual districts on Thursday, the varsity team and I went to Bread Co. for lunch. Both Maddy and I got food poising from the Caesar salad. I didn’t feel good during my first round match so I had to forfeit,” Smith said.
Chaney, however, was able to play in her second round match during districts.
“[Smith] and I were throwing up in the bathroom after our first round at Lafayette, but I was able to get back in it and play a three-set second match with my partner [senior Abigail Narishkin],” Chaney said.
Smith was not able to return to her match.
“It was a bummer that that was the end of my season and not what I would have picked but it was memorable,” Smith said.
Although the team experienced some obstacles, some players placed individual districts.
“Districts was awesome, my partner, [senior Rucha Vyas] and I won third in the doubles group. We had to beat out the number one doubles team from Marquette even though we were number three,” senior Ann Ni said.
Along with Ni and Vyas, senior Katie Connor also made it to the third round.
“I made it to the semifinal round but unfortunately I was up against some tough competition so I got fourth. Even though I was disappointed that I did not win districts, we had a great season,” Connor said.
Being such a senior heavy team, for most of the players, districts was the last time the seniors would play together.
“We did a lot better than I expected in districts but it would have been nice to see some of the seniors to advance further just because it is always sad to see them play their last match,” Townsend said.
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