Wildcat tennis adapts to fresh talent, new leadership as season evolves
Legacies are defined by time and tradition. Hours on the court translate to medals on the chest. The girls varsity tennis squad has once again proven themselves tough competitors in the Fox Valley Association. With almost an entirely new team, they have placed in the top half of the conference. New head coach, Nicole Bouzek, has come aboard with her personal brand of leadership.
“The goal always is to improve individually in tennis, improve as a person, and improve as a team,” she said. “It's most important that everyone has fun, gets to meet new people, and develops a love for the game of tennis.”
Senior Emma Marino competed at two doubles this year, playing fierce competition. As the season winds along, the graduating class has to come to grips with the end of a journey.
“The season has been tough, and we’ve fought hard,” she said. “My hopes for the season are to end on a high note and do the best I can do.”
Senior Molly Rhode plays three doubles on varsity and has quickly developed a deep love for the game. Like all seniors, she’s stepped into the role of being on varsity and the relationships formed in the trenches of competition.
“I am going to miss the friends I have made on the team and the bus rides to our away matches,” she said.
Team camaraderie will make it difficult for senior Ava Berdelman to walk away and leave her other teammates behind.
“I've had a really good time this season,” she said. “Even though I'm going to be graduating, I’m always going to remember this season.”
This is Rhode and Berdelman’s first year competing at the varsity level.
“It took some getting used to at the higher level,” Berdelman said. “I've adapted pretty well through practices and playing matches.”
Some of their younger teammates have the work ethic that will point to the future for the team.
“My favorite part about the sport is seeing all of the hard work pay off when playing a tough match,” junior Keagan Potter said.
Potter has been playing tennis since she was young and has been competing at the varsity level since her freshman year. She currently plays one doubles and is hoping to dominate not only in the conference but in the state as well.
“I hope to place on the podium at state and maybe even win at state this year,” she said.
As the conference season wraps up and the tournaments begin, the team will have to focus and play their very best if they want a chance to play at team state.
“For the rest of the season, I'm hoping for Keagan and I to play at a level that we’re both very proud of,” junior Kate Conger said. “Hopefully we make it to state and are able to play against amazing teams.”
This is Potter and Congers first year playing together, and they are currently 20-1. Something that encourages this duo to continue to win is the different environment the sport provides.
“The majority of people in the tennis community are amazing,” Conger said. “The players on our team and the players on the other teams are just phenomenal.”
The friendly environment is one of the many perks about the sport.
“My favorite part about the sport is spending time with friends at practice,” Marino said.
Berdelman shares similar values.
“I love spending time with the girls on the team,” she said. “They're all super nice and we always have a really good time when we hang out together.”
The team always remembers to have fun and places an emphasis on positivity. However, they want to win and continue to have goals for the rest of the season. Conger is excited for future competitions.
“I'm looking forward to having fun and seeing how far we can get at state,” she said.
Berdelman encourages everyone to try the enjoyable sport of tennis at least once in their life.
“Tennis is a lifelong sport,” she said. “You can play it with everybody and it's fun to play whether you are good or super advanced.”
by Sophia Rigoni
Published October 3, 2022
Oshkosh West Index Volume 119 Issue 1