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Girls tennis beats rival Munster to improve record to 7-1 BY SAMUEL BREWER co-sports editor At long last the girls tennis season is underway. The team has started with an impressive record of 7-1, with one of those wins coming against team rivals Munster. Head coach Brian Elston was impressed with how the team played. “It felt really good. I knew we had a good chance looking at the players we had versus the players they had back, but still when you beat a team who has won regionals the last seven years in a row without much of a tough time it feels good,” Elston said. Senior Katherine Ho was surprised with the team’s victory, especially after seeing Munster dominate the region for her entire high school career, winning the last seven regional championships. “It felt great. I didn’t expect that to happen. Going into the Munster match, I didn’t expect us to necessarily defeat them. . . . But from how we did in the previous years, there was still a chance for us to compete against Munster and possibly beat them. However, when we started hitting, we were shocked to see that we can compete with them in different spots allowing
us to claim the victory,” Ho said. This win was a big achievement, especially after the team missed out on a year of experience beforehand. Like most spring sports last year, the girls tennis team’s season was canceled due to COVID-19. According to first singles junior Gina Chiarella, the cancellation taught her to be thankful for the opportunity she gets this year. “The season being canceled last year was very tough on all of us, but we are all just happy to be out there and competing again. It really showed all of us how important our time is together and I know we are all really thankful we could have a season this year,” Chiarella said. Elston says he remembers the day last year’s season was canceled. “It was one of the more depressing days in the whole experience. It was really heartbreaking, especially texting the seniors was very tough,” Elston said. As for right now, Elston’s plan for preparing the team for the rest of the season is simple: small improvements each day. “What I always tell them is we need to get better every day. If you look at one match you have to get better the next match. That’s basically our goal so by the time we
get to the end of the year we’re playing our best,” Elston said. Chiarella has bought into this message, making a strong work ethic the center of her goals this season. “My personal goal for this season is to just play my hardest every time I walk out onto the court, whether it is practice or a match. Every time I play I know one way or another I need to do my part in benefiting the whole team so they can achieve their goals as well,” Chiarella said. The team has fared well this season, only losing one match and picking up a tournament win at the Plymouth Invite. Ho hopes to continue the team’s success all the way into regionals, with a focus on improving during practice. “My hope for the rest of the season is for us to continue to perform at our best, be DAC champion, sectional champion, and this year, regional champion. I plan to get the team there by telling them that every practice is to get ready for the next match. Make all the mistakes you possibly could make during practice so that you know what not to do during a match,” Ho said. Ho and the girls tennis team hope to add to their wins in a match at Lowell starting at 4 p.m.
Boys golf team shoots for state after hard work in offseason BY NOAH THOMAS co-editor-in-chief The boys golf team teed off their season with a tied second place at the Harrison invite on April 10. Head coach Ryan Bishop said that the team worked a lot in the offseason and made goals for the team this season. “In the offseason we worked on all aspects of the game, along with preparing mentally for the challenges we will face during the season,” Bishop said. “Our goals are to go undefeated in the DAC and advance to the state finals as a team. In the offseason, due to the
cold weather, it can be hard for the boys to practice their game, but this was not the case for junior Issac Embry. “I’ve prepared countless hours both in the gym and hitting indoor simulators to try to keep my golf game in check over the winter since Indiana isn’t the best place for a long golf season,” Embry said. Sophomore Ray Filter believes that team chemistry is important if the team wants to succeed. Filter believes the team has mastered this. “I would say our team chemistry is one of the best in the school and the state,” Filter said. “We all know each other very well, and we do not only
see each other at practice and tournaments, but we go out on our free time to practice with each other for long hours. Our team is like a family, and we are all very excited for this year.” Embry says the team goal this year is to make it to state where the team can prove their status as the best. “I would really like for our team to make it to state, so we can prove that we are one of the best teams in the state,” Embry said. According to Filter, winning state is a top priority for him and the team. “My individual goal for this season is to win the state title. If I keep working hard and
playing my game, I know I will have a chance on day two to bring home a state championship,” Filter said. Coach Bishop believes that experience isn’t the strong point of the team; it’s the leaders who take the team to the next level. “We have one junior on the varsity team that has only played one season, so like most teams, experience isn’t a strong point of our team. Leaders show up in any grade so it will be fun to see who rises to the front of the pack,” Bishop said. The boys will compete next at home in a dual meet against LaPorte and Michigan City tomorrow at 4 p.m.
