By Peter Hyle and Christian DiMartino

This year the girls’ tennis team has worked to reach the goals set by last year’s team. With a record of 6-2, they aim to do just as well as they did last year. Despite losing many team mates the previous year due to graduation, the team is still going strong.

“Our team this year is working extremely well together. Everyone on the team has stepped up and done their part, and we’re still doing great despite the loss,” said junior Erin Patterson.

After last year’s success, everyone on the team has high hopes for what they can accomplish this year.

“I honestly think we have a great chance of making it to state again this season, as long as everyone on the team stays healthy and positive,” said senior Dana Frank.

To produce the kind of hard work and dedication that the team reached last year, everyone is doing their best to achieve their goals.

“I think that last year’s team was so successful because we had really strong team leaders who pushed us to do our absolute best,” said sophomore Kailyn Little, “and because of that we’re state runner-ups now.”

Everyone on the team is remaining positive and optimistic about the rest of their current season.

“Last year we finished second in state, which is actually the farthest any FC girls’ tennis team has gone before. It’s crazy to think about,” said Frank.

Even though the team is doing well so far this year, it is hard for everyone on the team to go through a season without the seniors that they lost last year.

“They impacted the team in so many ways. They were truly just role models to every girl on the team, and they were amazing players too. It was a hard transition after losing four of them. It felt like losing family members,” said Little.

Everyone on the team is optimistic about the future of this years’ team, looking past the loss and focusing on the strengths that the team still holds.

“They [the seniors] were a huge part of the team, but they weren’t the whole team. It was obviously tough losing them, but we’re excelling more than anyone thought we would this year without them,” said sophomore Alex Jamison.