As we say goodbye to 13 seniors, the Arlington High School girls tennis team is having to rebuild and redefine themselves this upcoming year. With only 4 returning varsity players, will they be able to meet the expectations?

A big factor that the team relied on was the leadership from all the seniors.  Looking to next year a captain reflected on how the team will need to fill in those areas for stewardship and direction. Tennis at times can be such an individual sport that taking on a leadership role can become difficult due to the fact of having to focus on yourself and also others.

“An adjustment to make is not having as much like older leadership on the team, because a lot of our seniors are leaving and then a lot of our juniors and sophomores will have to step up in that leadership position,” Audrey Marsh (’26) 

 People stepping into new roles is not the only thing that is needed to be focused on. Losing 13 people off of a team is a huge deficit. Without new players joining the program, filling the roster could be a challenge. A returning captain shared that recruiting is definitely going to be something returning players should be doing.

“Honestly, we don’t have a plan. I think just to recruit more people, bring returners from JV and to just be more involved in the sport and to get people to play more,” said Grace Ferris (’28)

With the possibility of so many new players joining, the overall personnel of the team is going to change, especially with only 4 returners on varsity. The other captain, Lyla Morzelewski (’28), made clear what her main priorities for this next season are.

“My goal for next season is to make sure everyone feels included on the team, and then also like to play my hardest and best that I can, And as captain, to be inclusive with everyone, and to make sure the JV girls know they can talk to me, or the varsity girls,” said Morzelewski

While replacing over a dozen seniors won’t be easy, the returning players are focused on building a welcoming culture and developing the next generation of leaders. If they succeed this year, the season could turn into a very good opportunities for growth.

“It’ll be a big adjustment, but it will be good,” Ava Stewart (’29)