Seniors Jeslyn Liu and Lucia Gabel are captains for the 26 members on the girls tennis team. With 18 new players and eight returning players, the team is looking forward to working together this season. Freshman Sequoia Hall is playing her first year.

“I started because I thought it would be a really fun opportunity. It seemed like a really great sport to learn. I plan to play for the next four years,” Hall said.

Although she worked her way up to senior captain, Liu also began playing during her freshman year.

“[My] freshman year we had a really strong senior group. We had four team captains who were all seniors and they were 1st through 4th seed. Watching them was really amazing. In play-offs, we got the farthest we’ve ever gotten. Being able to play alongside them was really cool,” Liu said.

As captain this year, Liu has new responsibilities to the team.

“I think the biggest thing [about being captain] is being a role model if I can, helping where I can and mostly bringing the energy to the team. I get that while we’re tired, cheering each other up really helps, and that has really helped me. I just try to be that person on the team,” Liu said.

Hall believes that the team comradery brings a lot to the tennis environment.

“It’s a very great environment, everyone is very supportive and kind to each other and we love to cheer each other on,” Hall said. 

Returning players created strong relationships from past seasons. The bond the team created turned unpleasant situations into fun memories. Sophomore Soraya Kaussler experienced these moments from last year.

“[One of my favorite memories was] probably the first game that we had. It was a home game, it was absolutely freezing outside and we were all shivering,” Kaussler said. “We were all miserable but it was really fun because we were with each other huddled up in blankets.” 

Sophomore Sophia Pimentel Yoder also created strong friendships through tennis.

“You have to make new connections, it’s really fun to mix grades because you get to meet seniors, juniors, freshman, and they can help you with class and life advice,” Yoder said.

Gabel also enjoys the team aspect and environment of tennis.

“I have really nice memories of just spending time with my teammates on the bus and after matches messing around. I’ve been able to get to know the teammates in my grade over the past four years better and better and it makes the experience even more fun,” Gabel said.

Gabel also started her freshman year, although she had played on her own before. She also has multiple family members who were tennis players. Gabel started her role as team captain, along with Liu, her sophomore year.

“[Being captain] was kind of a shock and [Jeslyn and I] were a little hesitant since we were younger, but we worked into the roles and everything sorted itself out,” Gabel said.

This is Gabel’s third season as captain of the tennis team. She is now a mentor for many new players.

“The main responsibility of being a captain is to be a leader. We try to be the example for younger and new players and kind of show them the ropes of being on a team and participating in a varsity sport,” Gabel said. “ We try and set the competitive tone for the season and show the team what they need to do.”