Back-to-back PAISAA championships and a 16th consecutive Inter-Ac title are only a couple of the achievements for this year’s tennis team.
“The team won PAISAAs with hard work, gritty competitiveness, and talent,” Head Coach Tracy Tooke said.
In tennis, a mistake can only be blamed on yourself; there are no other factors than you and your racket. Players are there for each other always, which results in thrilling victories.
“I see how the juniors and seniors carry themselves on and off the court. Speaking for the underclassmen, they have inspired us this year and really motivated us to get another title for the team,” Third Former Shaya Khojasteh said.
Captain and Sixth Former Kaiser Zhao has been the glue holding the team together.
“Kaiser’s passion for tennis and competition trickled down for all to emulate. He is not just a talented Division-I recruit to the University of Rochester, but he is a role model who can show the team how to win games mentally,” Coach Tooke said.
Fifth Former RJ Neilly was ready. It was the final challenge of the season: win consecutive PAISSA championships. Haverford had just come back, and this was match point.
“Being the person that the match came down to and being able to pull out the win in the state final meant everything to me,” Neilly said. “This team, especially the seniors, has given so much to the program, and being able to send them off with a back-to-back state title was amazing.”
Neilly prevailed.
“I have been on the team since freshman year; the team has continuously grown in chemistry.”
RJ NEILLY ’27
However, in order for the tennis team to continuously win, it must always improve its chemistry.
“I have been on the team since freshman year; the team has continuously grown in chemistry,” Neilly said. “Every match, the team shows more and more support.”
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