Causing a racket
The young Bomber Tennis Team had quite the memorable season.
Lauren Ritz watches as her teammate hits the ball to their opponents’ side of the court.
Fall sports are in full swing around school but the Cannon Falls girls’ tennis team won’t be swinging their rackets again until next fall, as they were the latest activity to have their season draw to a close after the team missed out on advancing any participants past the section tournament. After achieving a respectable record of around .500 last season, such a young team was always likely to have a hard time producing similar statistics. After losing their only three upperclassmen last time out (two graduating high school and one becoming a full time PSEO student), the team was left with no seniors for this season. So, younger players had to step up to the plate instead.
Junior captain, Lindsey Miest, elected to single out one young player in particular who will be one to watch down the road. Miest spoke fondly of homeschooler, Alison Hughes, asserting that “she has really stepped up this year and always had a ton of energy,” and was exceptional at keeping her composure and focus in long, hard matches. The team finished with an overall record of 3-12, but considering that the squad was remarkably young this time around, their seemingly unsuccessful season should not be judged on solely numbers. Stressing this, Miest points out that, “It’s hard having a young team because many of us are still learning and yet we have to get bumped to play tough varsity spots. We try our best and play as competitively as we can.”
Come next fall though, the tennis team will presumably be much more competitive. Assuming all of this year’s players return next season, the team’s roster will look the exact same as it does now with everybody a year older – an exciting prospect in the eyes of junior, Anna Becker. “I am so glad that I get to play with the exact same team next year,” she expressed. Losing no seniors this season means that the strong bonds which have already been formed will endure, the team chemistry that has already been fostered will persist, and the need for younger girls to step up against tough varsity competition will prove to be invaluable experience for their seasons to come.
In a nutshell, while the team’s quality and improvement didn’t show itself in medals or the team’s record this fall, the girls’ tennis team appears to be one that is setting their sights on the future because of its abundance of youth filled with unquestionable potential. The season may not have shaped out to be as successful as the players may have initially hoped for, but the girls voiced their pleasure at a memorable, fun-filled season, that has showcased a bright future for the program.
Chris Baszuro, now a Sports editor, is a senior and has been involved with the Lantern for two years. Soccer, speech, MHS, band, and jazz band are a few...