The girls’ tennis is starting the season with only two returning varsity players, leaving multiple spots open for new talent.
“I have high expectations for the upcoming season. I plan to win at least 70% of our matches and develop all the new freshmen we have,” coach Jason Townsend said, “I just hope that the girls will give the same level of effort, and put as much into it as I do.”
Junior Stephanie Quoss is on her fourth year playing tennis and is one of the two returning varsity players along with senior Maddy Chaney. Both girls practiced during the summer to prepare for the season.
“When I am playing with a partner I expect them to have good sportsmanship and just to be there to back me up if I need it,” Quoss said.
Freshman Claire Martin prepared for tryouts all summer by playing every day, doing clinics at Woodsmill Racket Club. Claire has been playing tennis since she was eight. She is currently placed at the number one spot for Varsity.
“I think I am most excited to play different schools and have fun with the team. I expect my teammates to try hard but have fun doing it,” Martin said.
Townsend believes that the teams’ hardest competition will be Lafayette and Clayton.
“Before we play out first match we need to gain more focus in practice and formalize the line up for more consistency,” Townsend said.
The Varsity team won their first tournament against Cape Gerudua and Jacksonville, Missouri.
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![Senior Josie Grunzinger watches the football game intently from the sidelines on Oct. 18. Grunzinger stood out to the crowd as the only girl on the football team, encouraging other girls who want to play football to take a chance and go for a sport outside of their comfort zone. “If you think you could [play football] and you want to do it, just try it, because all it takes is to actually try it out,” Grunzinger said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Untitled-design-1200x675.png)
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![Looking for an open teammate, freshman Patrick May passes the ball across the court at the Nov. 28 game against Parkway Central. May started in the game against the Colts. ”Growing up, [my parents] always gave me a basketball, [and] we had a basketball hoop outside. I grew up playing [all the time], playing on the [driveway] and shooting hoops with my dad.” May said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/image2-1-1200x801.jpg)
