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Amanda Tran (12) prepares to return a shot in a varsity singles match.

The first match of the girls’ tennis season was on Sept. 20 against Newark Memorial High School and ended in victory for both varsity and JV girls’ tennis. After a record of 10-4 last year and placing third in the league, the team hopes to go further this year, and they are off to a good start. Despite the very hot and dry weather, the team had great energy, and was in high spirits throughout warm up and their matches.

Shortly after the girls warmed up, head coach Dan Leon delivered a pep talk, to get everyone excited and inspired. Captains Amanda Tran (12), Katie Grant (12), and Ayesha Kumbhare (12) also gave short speeches, and the team gathered together for a chant before they started. Then Newark and Irvington announced their players to be paired, and the matches began.

For varsity, there were four singles and three doubles matches. All four singles players started out strong, each winning their first sets. Both varsity and JV had a final score of 7-0, marking this as a landslide win for the girls’ tennis team.

Last year, about a fifth of the team graduated, and now the team consist of mostly underclassmen. However, the team captains are enthusiastic for the rest of the season. “Even though we are a pretty young team, I’m really surprised and happy with how well we played. Everyone exceeded my expectations, and this year has just felt a lot more fun and organized. I’m so ready for what this season has in store for us!” Tran said.