Following a strong ending to last year’s season, the girls’ team looks to build on last year’s lineup while the boys’ team looks for guys to step up after losing two Division III players. 

2021 graduates Ryan Meyer and Mikey Fellman are now playing at the collegiate level as the team searches for people to fill their shoes. The team currently only has one healthy returning singles player due to missing sophomore Ben Wang out with a groin injury. After a strong showing at tryouts, the team is practicing hard for the first matches. “I really like how the team is shaping up and can’t wait to rejoin the team,” Wang said.

On the girls’ side, three out of the four starting singles players are returning, with Division I prospect Helen Sarikulaya leading the team. Sophomore Naomi Esterowitz is looking to shift into the three singles spot held by her older sister last year, who is currently playing at Haverford College. “I am sad my sister graduated but I am excited to step up into a bigger role and help the team reach our goal of a state title,” Naomi Esterowitz said.

Senior Jakob Esterowitz recently announced his commitment to play at Amherst College for the next four years. Leading the team all four years of high school, Jakob plans to continue to push for more this year. “I really feel like this is our year, we have a great group of guys all working hard together day in and day out,” he said. 

Historically, both teams have been incredibly dominant, consistently winning county, regional, and state championships. Third-year girls’ coach Victoria Barry is looking to have her team once again dominate with the hopes of another state championship. Both teams will start off their seasons on Mar. 21 against Quince Orchard, with the boys playing at home and the girls away. 

For a long time the girls’ tennis season was played in the fall, with the boys season in the spring. Following the 2019 season, the girls’ season was moved to the spring as well, which brought problems due to the school’s limited court space. “While I feel like it brought the team closer together, it is frustrating to have to travel up to Frost for most of our playing,” Naomi Esterowitz said. 

Boy’s coach Fevronia Cresham was a teacher here for 17 years before retiring last year. Despite retiring from teaching, she’s returning to once again coach the tennis team. “I still love being a part of the team and watching some of these guys that I’ve known for so long compete, I just wasn’t ready to give this up yet,” Cresham said. 

With a packed season of 12 regular matches prior to the playoffs, both teams are eagerly anticipating their chance to compete against the other programs. “The matches are really the best part of the season, it’s an amazing feeling to be competing with the rest of the team cheering you on,” senior Siddharth Kondam said.