After a season marked by steady growth, strong leadership, and unwavering team spirit, Irvington Girls’ Tennis closed out one of its most memorable years yet. With consistent improvement from last season and a renewed sense of unity, the team’s dedication both on and off the court defined their success.
Captain Yashika Nammi (12) reflected on the year as her favorite of all four seasons. “It was the best season. I had the most fun,” she said. “As a senior, I felt more laid back and was happy to lead the team.” For Nammi, who started and ended her Irvington tennis career with the same doubles partner, her final match carried extra significance. “It’s been a whole journey, and a great full circle moment,” she added.
Fellow senior Saanvi Kancharla described her last season as “eventful, fun, exciting, and bittersweet.” A close match against Mission San Jose stood out to her as one of the highlights of the season, a reminder of the competitive energy and hard work that has shaped her experience on the team. “I made a lot of new friends,” she said, noting how the experience left a lasting mark on her high school years. Kancharla said she’ll miss the “team bonding events—whether it’s going out for fast food or team banquets,” and encouraged younger players to “try out for a sport because you make lasting friends and get to be part of a team.”
For the underclassmen, the seniors’ impact was clear. Samika Prasad (10) described the team’s atmosphere as “positive and supportive,” highlighting how the 11 seniors set the tone for the rest of the group. “They always showed up to practice and matches, which really set the example for the rest of the team,” she said. Prasad hopes to continue the legacy of “dedication and sportsmanship” that the seniors established, emphasizing that their example will carry forward into next season.
That spirit was on full display during the team’s Senior Night on Thursday, October 30th, an evening filled with celebration and gratitude. Each senior was introduced individually and given the chance to deliver a short speech before officially signing out on a tennis ball cutout. They were then presented with personalized gift baskets—including a “Class of 2026” custom tennis ball in a display case—and flowers. Teammates had also created handmade posters for each senior, filling the courts with color, laughter, and emotion.
As the team looks ahead, their goals remain ambitious yet grounded in the same sense of unity that defined this season. “Hopefully next year we can place in the top two and qualify for NCS,” said Prasad. “But more importantly, I hope we keep supporting and cheering each other on.”
With the seniors leaving behind a culture of positivity, perseverance, and teamwork, Irvington Girls’ Tennis ends this season on a high note, grateful for the memories, proud of their progress, and ready for what comes next.
