When you meet someone in grade school, you don’t know that they’ll be a teammate in the future. You don’t know that they’ll be in your classes. You don’t know that they’ll be your best friend for life.

Antioch Community High School juniors Anna Arden and Annie Horner knew.

“We met at Emmons in seventh grade, so five years ago,” said Horner.

Knowing each other for five years helps when you are teammates together. Being on a successful doubles team for Varsity tennis, I guess you could say that Arden and Horner see a lot of each other.

“Anna and I have really great chemistry and we know when the other is going to go for a ball or hit it and we never get frustrated with each other, which is a feat in itself. We just have a good time when we’re playing together,” said Horner.

Arden and Horner have both played tennis for three years and have played on the ACHS Varsity team for two.

“I was originally going to do field hockey until [Horner] convinced me to try tennis, and it’s the best decision I’ve made in my high school career. Tennis is my favorite sport, hands down,” said Arden. “Not only is the sport really fun, but the girls are a riot. I look forward to it every single day, and as soon as the season ends, I can never wait for it to start the upcoming year.”

The girls are doing very well and have done so in the past. This year, they have received second place at both Niles West and Cary Grove Invitationals. ACHS can surely expect great things from them.

Arden and Horner carry their well-respected actions from on the court to off the court. Each is involved in other sports and is enrolled in rigorous classes. It is amazing how they can do it all.

Teamates. Partners. Friends.

Arden and Horner are able to do a lot because of one reason and one reason only: each other.

“The thing I like best about Anna is that she never gets down or gets frustrated with me. I know that if I get frustrated with myself, she’s always there to pick me up and offer words of encouragement,” said Horner.

Arden said, “[Horner] is just one of those people where as soon as you see them, you can’t help but smile. She’s the sweetest, funniest and most beautiful girl I’ve ever met, inside and out. I grew up with three brothers, but she’s shown me what it’s like to have a sister.”

Friendship not only plays a key role in their play but also in the Antioch community. Next time you see one of them, make sure to thank them for all of the greatness they have to offer. They are the definition of a true Sequoit: respectful, responsible and proud.

Watch Arden and Horner battle together at their next match on Saturday, Oct. 4 at the Warren Quad at 9 a.m. Good luck Sequoits!