With five returning players, including senior Co-Captains Daphne Mandell and Isabelle Brown as well as juniors Maria McEnroe and Jasmine Kitahara…
By Melanie Cane
With five returning players, including senior Co-Captains Daphne Mandell and Isabelle Brown as well as juniors Maria McEnroe and Jasmine Kitahara (the No. 1 singles player) and sophomore Emily Moran, the Wildcats are hoping to top .500. Freshmen Kate Yamin and Sarah Walker began the season in the number two and three singles’ spots and Moran in number four.
With so many eager players — close to 30 tried out for Varsity and JV — Coach Jen Smith is counting on a lot of depth and strength. “Of utmost importance is that the players enjoy themselves as they challenge their abilities daily.” Coach Smith has added fitness training to their practice regimen this year.
The Wildcats kicked off their season September 2 with a home scrimmage against Edgemont, which they won 4-3. Coach Smith and assistant coach Gary Solom said the girls worked really hard in pre-season and having a chance to play against another school was a tremendous help. The coaches were thrilled that the girls played aggressively and consistently in the scrimmage. Smith said she attributes the improvement from last season to the fitness training, and the fact that the team knows what the coaches expect of them.
On September 6, the Wildcats held their first Tennis Jamboree, which netted a lot of fun matches. Two days later, they played Hackley and won 5-2.
