With last year’s fairytale ending, the girl’s tennis team is looking forward to hitting the courts and hopefully returning to state with more athletes this year. Seniors Sierra Ward, Jenny Horner and Zaina Hussain return to the courts, along with help from juniors Jocelyn Cabuyadao and Fayth Vesser. Returner Horner cannot wait for the season to start.

“I love everything from the practices so I can bond with my teammates to playing in a match and feeling really good about myself when I win,” Horner said.

A new season means new players, and this year’s team will be seen with tons of fresh faces to learn their roles on the team.

“There are a lot of new freshmen, which is amazing,” Hussain said.

Even though the team does not pick captains, the girls will often find themselves looking up to the seniors for guidance.

“We don’t have captains, but the upperclassmen on the team kind of hold their own leadership position for freshmen and sophomores who are new or anyone who needs help,” Horner said.

The upperclassmen hope to lead the girls to victories in all matches, this season.

“I am really looking forward to conference this year because you play so many different schools,” Horner said. “It’s really cool to make new friends and get a nice medal if you place.”

Not only do they have their eyes on the prize for conference, but also for sectionals. Cabuyadao wants the best for her team and believes every match is practice for sectionals.

“I would say the important matches this year are conference matches, because if we do well in those we can move on and do well in sectionals,” Cabuyadao said.

With their rackets in hand, and lots of motivation to go around, the girls tennis team is ready to take on the courts and take down their opponents.