The Paly girls tennis team had a discouraging season. Finishing with an overall record of 1-10, they went down a division. Despite this, they grew as a team and have their hopes up for next season.
The team lost five seniors since last season, causing a roster reset this year. With five more leaving this year, the team will undergo a total rebuilding process. “I am excited to have players pulled up from JV next year,” sophomore Tess Li (‘27) said. “They show up and work hard, and with some work in the off-season, they will have what it takes to shine on varsity.”
Amidst the trouble, coach Andy Harader highlights the positives and remains optimistic. “The squad has worked hard this season,” coach Andy Harader said. “They are ready to come back and perform better next season.”
The girls had a very difficult schedule and their results reflected that.
Instead of being upset, Sophomore Mabel McCarter is excited about the change that comes with playing a division lower.
“I think we’ll perform better and develop more in the lower league,” McCarter said. “Playing in the top division this season discouraged the team, but I am proud to see how hard the girls worked. I hope that this hard work ethic will continue and help us excel in our new league.”
McCarter is also looking forward to playing against new schools and bringing back the Paly vs. Gunn rivalry.
“Dropping a division means we will play new teams, including our arch rival Gunn,” McCarter said. “We will also be playing teams who are closer to our skill level, which will help us improve because the top division was particularly challenging.”
The girls began the season with a loss and mostly carried out the trend through the season. Sophomore Jaslynn Lee looks on the bright side.
“We’ve improved throughout the season and learned a lot, especially since some of our top players left,” Lee said. “We have had an opportunity to play and really improve ourselves.”
Despite their record the girls had a good time overall, growing and improving at practice every day. Losing five seniors, the team will undergo a rebuilding process for next season.
