Despite the later-than-usual start to school this year, girls tennis did not wait around to get back into preparing for their upcoming season in hopes to bring home some excellent wins for Trinity.

The tennis practices began on August 13, three weeks before school started. Since then, the girls have followed their usual schedules of practicing and having a few matches spread out randomly in the week.

The Varsity girls team has had a bit of a rough start to the year with a 0-5 record in their section and a 3-7 record overall. However, the girls were still able to send a total of four girls to the WPIALS at the end of September. Junior Marlaina Bozek and Sophomore Skylar Clawson went to Section Singles and Section Doubles, with Seniors McKenna Hoffman and Makenzie Marino joining them for the latter.

Clawson and Bozek both faced girls from Chartiers Valley and lost in the first round of singles, while they faced Peters Township together in doubles, losing that match as well. Marino and Hoffman beat South Fayette in the first round of doubles, but were defeated by Peters Township in their second round.

Despite these circumstances, Varsity Coach Mr. Stoner is confident that his players are going to add another great season to the books.

Stoner shared, “The season is going very well, except for the extenuating weather, 100+ degrees and monsoon rains. I’ve seen improvement in the girls, I just hope the girls are having fun and learning tennis.”

The JV team also welcomed several new members this year. One freshman has begun playing this year, as well as several seniors and sophomores who have never played before. Yet, despite the amount of newcomers, the girls have worked hard this season and definitely improved their tennis-playing skills. The JV team also has a new coach this year, Mrs. Frazee, high school chemistry teacher. She has taken over after Mrs. Jutca’s retirement last school year.

“I just really enjoy the girls who are playing tennis this year. They are a really good group and they make it a lot of fun,” said Frazee.

One of the toughest teams that Trinity has opposed in tennis is Upper Saint Clair, whose team members have been playing tennis for much longer than some of our players. Fortunately, that has not stopped the Lady Hillers from always putting their best foot forward and giving their all.

However, being on the tennis team isn’t all work and no play. The girls still manage to enjoy hanging out together despite their busy schedules by going for ice cream after matches or practices, which also serves as a nice way to cool off after a day of exertion.

Senior Julia Faust would consider her favorite part of playing tennis to be hanging out and bonding with her team members.

“My favorite part of playing tennis definitely has to be the team itself. We like to stay cheerful and upbeat and make it our goal to have a fun time and not take ourselves too seriously, qualities that are sometimes lacking in other areas of life,” said Faust.

Though the girls may have had a tough season, their hard work and dedication to tennis is evident.