The St. Charles High varsity girls tennis season is coming to an end, but that’s not stopping these girls. Their determination is shown on and off the court as they work together to grow as a team and create stronger bonds. This energy has strongly improved this season’s outcomes compared to years prior, and Coach Jonathan Flaxbart loves to see the effort these girls are putting in. 

As a new season started for the girls tennis team back in August, there was a conflict that the team had to accommodate. Junior Madelyn Basler faced an injury leaving her out for the season resulting in her teammates stepping up. This was a change for the girls as they had to adjust to playing at a different ranking, but they are handlining it really well Flaxbart shares.

Senior Airianna Ward is ranked number one on the team and has played all four years of high school. Being number one is a big role for Ward as her teammates look up to her and follow in her footsteps.

“Being the number one takes a lot of responsibility and you have to be a good role model,” Ward said. “I take this role with great honor and show it off as an accomplishment. Being the number one brings me great challenges and makes me face tough competition.” 

The season coming to an end is very sentimental for Ward as she thinks back on the beginning of her tennis career, and recognizes all her growth and improvement she has made throughout the years.

Outside of practices and tournaments the players do team bonding. They most often have sleepovers and go out to eat, for example, the team went to Vietnamese Pho with new exchange student, junior Jolie H’ who is visiting from Vietnam. The team has also taken time to decorate the Homecoming tennis float that was seen this past weekend at the parade.

Sophomore Marcella Sheils is liking her first year of tennis and plans on doing it again next year. On the weekends she goes out with her family or friends to practice hitting and takes any free time to go and practice. Sheils loves the bonds that tennis has given her. 

“It creates a lot of new friends and relationships just like any other sport and it’s really fun.” She is looking forward to the years ahead.

Before the season is officially over the team has a few more things coming up: Class 1 District 3 Individual Tournament – Oct. 9-11, and Class 1 District 3 Team Tournament – Oct. 13-16.