By participating in activities inside and outside of practice, girls on the tennis team have become closer with one another in their first normal season since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“The underclassman and upperclassman work cohesively together,” girls tennis coach Josh Myers said
Most students struggled to get back into school and sports after the pandemic which created separation between players.
During their season, the team became more motivated.
Finishing off their senior season, team manager Mira Patel said, “Senior night was the best night because you get to celebrate the seniors and all their achievements.”
Each teammate has learned a little bit from everybody.
According to Patel, “It’s really cool to see how much respect we have for each other.”
Players got to bond throughout the season, not only on the court but off the court as well.
“Over time [I] got closer with the girls more on a personal level than just on the courts. [The team] talks outside of tennis which I really enjoy,” freshman Avantika Manna said.
Most sports at Souderton offer junior varsity (JV) and varsity teams.
“I think tennis is a unique sport when it comes to team bonding because other sports will split up their JV and varsity teams. We do that to some extent, but a lot of the time we are all together,” Myers said.
According to Myers, the team reconnected through team exercises and outside activities.
“Team bonding is good. I know they went to Dairy Queen, Chick Fil A and Applebees as opportunities to connect outside of school,” Myers said.
Multiple girls on the team stated that they felt “motivated” and “determined” to push each other to do better not only as a tennis player, but as a person in society, as well.
“I feel some sports might get a kind of clique, which this team, definitely this year did not. That makes coaching definitely less stressful and everyone gets along as well,” Myers said.
Many team members agree.
“There are no separate little cliques. I actually talk to more of the seniors than the freshmen,” Manna said.
Manna also found a role model on the team.
“I look up to sophomore Amanda Yang. To see how dedicated she is to her sport and her grit, I think she is the person I look up to the most,” Manna said.
After an emotional season, it was time to let [the seniors] go.
“I want to say that it’s been an awesome experience to see them grow as tennis players and people,” Myers said.
“Hopefully, they come back to the courts during the summer to come play with us.”