While the MSMS tennis season fell short of replicating last year’s state title run, the Blue Waves team still made it to the semifinalist at state.
Both girls’ doubles teams qualified to play at state, as well as one boys’ doubles team and one girls’ singles — the team made it to the semifinals. Goen junior Tejasvi Uppu made it to quarterfinals for girls’ singles, while Goen senior Anna Anderson and junior Cecelia Bueler made it to quarterfinals for girls’ doubles. Frazer senior Noah Maksi and junior Hutch Clemons made it to semifinals for boys’ doubles, while Goen juniors Avanthi Remata and Baruni Jakkula made it to semifinals for girls’ doubles.
Anna Anderson, Goen’s captain, said the strength of the team lies in its interconnectedness while its shortfalls stem from the tough standards each player sets for themselves.
“Some of our biggest strengths are our community within the team and our support for one another, but I think our [weakness is] our mentality,” Anderson said. “I think we put pressure on ourselves, not just academically but in everything we do, leading to a lot of on-court pressure and doubt.”
MSMS tennis is a two-year program, therefore growth opportunity is limited — especially when it comes to doubles. Uppu said the struggle of teammates not knowing each other before forces them to bond quickly, which she said is actually a strength.
“A lot of juniors come on the tennis team, and no one really knows each other,” Uppu said. “So, you have to build community rather fast, and that is exactly what we did.”
“Nothing comes easy,” Clemons added about the lesson he has learned through the season. “A lot of us came from higher levels of play and thought it would be easier here … but that didn’t guarantee anything. We know now, and we’ll take that mindset into next year. I believe we’ve made a lot of progress this season in that regard, and that we’re in a good position for next season.”
Anderson said she is appreciative of everyone included, despite the results from her final year.
“Though it’s not the ending to my last season of high school tennis that I hoped for, I’m extremely grateful for the coaches and players that were a part of it,” Anderson said.
