By Bruce Karnick

The Girls Tennis team has had a fast and furious start of the season so far. Registration opened August 10th and the first practice was August 17th, first match was scheduled to be August 25th but that had to be pushed back to the 29th. Their first competition was August 27th and Conference Championships are September 17th, 22nd and 24th. The regular season will be seven competitions in 19 days. The whole season start to finish will be 38 days from the start of practices to the end of Conference Championships. By far the shortest season for all the fall sports. The roster for 2020 starts out with 43 players total in three different pods.

The team website starts with the teams thought process, Ubuntu – I am Because We Are. The concept of ‘ubuntu’ emphasizes humility and unselfishness, encouragement and empowerment of others, a sense of connectedness with the team, and a recognition that the individual succeeds only when the whole team succeeds. To practice ‘ubuntu’ is to think TEAM at all times. ‘Ubuntu’enables a team of diverse personalities and diversified skills to unite around a common goal and shared values. Head Coach Marissa Welch has a passion for teaching the girls more than just tennis skills. “I coach to share my love of sports and develop the whole person by modeling positivity, authenticity, grit, and service.” It is in every one of her emails. When asked what she would like to see this season, she replied. “What I hope for the season: We soak up every moment we get out there. We are grateful to be on the court and having such good weather, and with life being so unknown during this pandemic we remind ourselves to live day by day and enjoy each day to its fullest!! We can’t take for granted what little time we have out there and together. We have 15 seniors on our team, and I’m glad for them to be out there playing tennis and being with their friends, even from 6-feet away.”

Head Coach: Marissa Welch Assistant Coaches: Sami Hindt, Angela Beissel Girls Tennis Roster Blue Pod (Varsity), Courts 1-4 Mya G (Captain), Erika H (Captain), Anri S (Captain), Claire K, Charlotte K, Audrey L, Skylar T, Autumn W, Ellie H, Chloe K, Gracyn R, Jade F, Jade L, Lydia H, Molly M Raider Pod (JV), Courts 5-8 Abby A, Lauren D, Grace M, Eva M, Veronica R, Morgan B, Ellie T, Kira L, Emily H, Ella D, Megan M, Emma B, Grace W, Sara M, Hally F, Maddie L, Emma M, Avery N, Maria H.

Yellow Pod (JV), Courts 9-10 Averie A, Amanda B, Anna G, Chloe H, Amber K, Julia R, Ruby R, Mikayla S, Brooke J.

Girls Tennis Schedule 8/27 So St Paul Away (Won 4-3) 3:30 pm 8/29 Henry Sibley Home 9:00 am 9/1 Tartan Away 3:30 pm 9/3 North Home 3:30 pm 9/8 Mahtomedi Home 3:30 pm 9/10 Simley Away 3:30 pm 9/15 Hill-Murray Away 3:30 pm 9/17, 9/22, 9/24 Conference Championships TBD