​By Rachel Lamb

Excitement filled FC’s girls tennis team last June when they brought home the title runner up in state. After accomplishing this, expectations started to rise for the upcoming season.

With conditioning already started and practice just around the corner, many  team members and their coach, James Markert, believe that going back to state again this year is possible.

“We definitely can make it back to state this year. Even though we lost a lot of experience and some of the best players to ever play tennis at FC last year,  we’ve still developed a program with some longevity,” said Markert.

Not only did the team lose some highly skilled players, but also four seniors.

Sophomore Callie Oaks shared her opinion on how losing the seniors is going to affect the team this year.

​”I think we depended on the upperclassmen too much last year and this year we need to learn to succeed without them.”

Even though this team is at a disadvantage with mostly underclassmen, there still are a few additions being made to the team.

“We’re adding a very talented exchange student, Giorgia Rossetto, who has already meshed wonderfully with the rest of the girls on the team,” said Markert.

Sophomore Emily Stock said having Rossetto is a sign of hope.

“We have a good team and especially now that we have Rossetto, I have faith that we can make it to state. ”

Another addition to the team are three freshmen that have been playing tennis since early middle school. The way that they have been preparing could lead the team to state.

“I have been playing with many of the girls for years and already have lots of experience with the coaches,” said freshman Madison Woosley.

Senior Dana Frank, who played on the number one doubles team last year, said that the team is ready.

“We’re on track for a spectacular season mainly because our team has a good deal of upside and all of us are working especially hard in areas that need heaps of improvement.”