Although the season may not have finished how they had hoped, there is no doubt that the Bomber tennis team had a successful season. The team boasted a 17-5 record and were co-conference champions for the first time in school history. However, their season concluded after losing to Lake City in the section championship.
This years’ team had an experienced lineup with five seniors and almost all their starters from the previous season. Also, returning senior captains Josie Sjoquist and Sophia Nerison. After coming off another successful season, the team had lofty goals described by Nerison stating “Our goals are to win the conference and the section.” Due to coming so close to both the year prior, they wanted to “Make it Happen” this season. Which is why they chose “Make it Happen” as their team motto for the season. When asking senior player Abby Roepke what this motto meant to her she stated “To me, it means taking responsibility putting in the work and effort to turn our goals into reality.”
The hard work was constant throughout the entire season to try and obtain these goals, starting with tryouts and heading straight into quads and summer matches. Often playing multiple matches a day, the team started racking up wins finding points at numerous positions within their lineup. They carried this momentum into section and conference play going 7-1 in both during the regular season. Due to their conference record they were named co-conference champions along with Lake City, achieving one of their goals for the season and making history for the program.
Heading into postseason, the team received the second seed in the section behind Lake City. Their first round match of the tournament was held at home against Winona Cotter where the Bombers won 6-1. Then they headed to the Rochester Athletic Club where the semifinals and finals took place, winning their semifinal match against Red Wing 6-1 and losing to Lake City in the finals 1-6.
Even though the team didn’t make it to state, it was a fun season with many notable matches and accomplishments. When asked what junior player Malena Mandelkow’s favorite moment of the season was she said “Getting to celebrate all of the seniors on senior night, with a silly string attack and boas.” Overall, the tennis team had a fun and successful season and can’t wait to cheer on their teammates at individuals.