As the school year begins, student athletes come back ready to grow and lead in their chosen sports.
This year, the girls tennis team hit the court with a number of seasoned players, which looks good for the Saints heading into sections next week.
“The season is going amazing so far,” said tennis coach Joe Fredrickson.
The girls are currently 18 and 3 having faced big rivals Cambridge and Princeton last week, and they just sealed the Mississippi 8 Conference Champion title. This may not be surprising, considering many of the team leaders have been playing since middle school.
“I joined in sixth grade,” said junior singles player Macy Hass, “so this is my fifth year on the tennis team.”
Her teammate junior Makenna Sanders, who plays doubles with Kiersten Terris, joined in seventh grade.
“I joined as a way to do something fun in the fall,” said Hass, “and to try something new.”
Sanders always attended the summer camp offered by the district and coach “Fred” (as the girls call him) asked her to join.
“Me and my partner have been together for the past three years now so it’s more of an improving game mentally with us,” said Sanders
The matches that are going on this week are a deciding factor for the team’s section. Josie Lupinek and Alexa Skogquist are 20-1 and Fred says he thinks it’s great they have such an impressive record after such fierce competition in doubles the whole season.
“As far as doubles go for our team,”said Fredrickson, “Alexa and Josie’s record is obviously outstanding so they should be ready to see these teams’ best players facing them.”
Skogquist feels she’s improved quite a bit this year.
“I’ve been more consistent and hitting the ball harder,” she said.
Their new teammate Kristina Nefediev came from Brooklyn, New York, and is a varsity player on the team.
“Kristina is 9-0 and only lost 6 times throughout those matches,” said Fredrikson, “which is unbelievable.”
Fredrickson looked forward to the final matches before heading into sections.
“With such great rivalries this week,” said Fredrickson, “our players should be up for the challenge these teams may give us.”
*UPDATE – The girls tennis team secured the title of Mississippi 8 Conference Champions on Friday, September 29. The girls have had an incredible season with a record of 18-3 (undefeated in conference play) with one match left to play on Monday, October 2nd at home against Mora.The match starts at 4:15pm.
