SPORTS
Girls Tennis: Upsetting their way to the top
By Sam Lahn and Amy DeCillis
Varsity Tennis accepts the challenge as top seeded Country Day looks to end the Chargers string of championships.
Providence Day School’s girls varsity tennis has made quite a name for themselves. Over the past nine years, PD’s team has brought home six state titles. However, everyone knows that earning a first place position is easier than fighting to stay on top. While the tennis program has a solid reputation, this is always subject to change.
This year, head coach Ryan Harper knows that reclaiming a state title will not be as easy as it was before. When asked why this might be, Harper explains that this year’s competition is certainly a lot stronger than that of the previous years. While schools like the infamous Charlotte Latin are always ready to knock PDS off of first place, Harper does not seem anxious but rather strategic. He explains that this year the team’s most influential aspect will be its number two doubles team. They have a very strong first team but they still need to find the right duo to make that second team even more dominant. He also suggests that this doubles duo will have a major impact on the team’s record as the season continues.
Harper seems very excited about where the team stands mid-way through the season. Since the team is not as strong as years past the expectations for them seem to be lower. “We have definitely achieved and even to some extent surpassed our goals so far this season,” Coach Harper said as he continued to explain the difficulty of the teams upcoming schedule. Coming up in the second half of their season, the Chargers look to knock off top seeded Country Day while also working their way up the standings.
Hearing from senior Mimi Brechnitz, the team’s main focus for the remainder of the season is to take down the obvious #1 seed, Country Day. It will be a very challenging task but as she states in her quote, everyone on the team is very confident that they can win it all, despite some tough losses early on. It seems likely that the team will have a chance to compete for the State Championship but winning it all will be a major challenge.
Country Day, Cary Academy, and Charlotte Latin all are major threats to the Chargers as they begin their quest towards the state title. Assistant coach, Doug Andrew said, "I just don’t see what’s so special about these teams, I know we can put up a fight." Captains Caroline Kurani (Junior); Izzy Gallant (Senior); Anne Shannon (Senior); and Hanna Dohmen (Senior) are all ready to take on the challenges for the rest of the season. As the top player, Kurani, gets the team ready for each match, she “sets the tone as far as working the hardest and keeping focus on her game.” Harper states that this work ethic out of the top player is just what the team needs. Harper and the rest of the team are very excited as they head into the final stretch run, and only time will tell if the Chargers are ready to take on what is next.
“We’ve had some tough losses this season, but the team as a whole is still confident in going to the state tournament and hopefully beating Country Day.”
– Mimi Brechnitz
Varsity Tennis poses after an exciting team victory.
Photo courtesy of the Providence Day Athletic Department