Girl’s varsity tennis has placed seventh at state this year. Freshman Anna Peard, sophomores Kate Piper and Gabby Gorman, senior Andrea Chen and junior Alexandra Dodd all competed in the state competition. The team’s performance shows just how Free State much the varsity girl’s tennis program has improved this season.

“We’ve come together more, improved communication and been playing together a lot,” Piper said.

The Tennis team has grown in size and dedication according to Chen.

“We have more people who play year round and more [players]. So that definitely makes our team better,” Chen said.

The tennis team has focused on practicing against a variety of doubles teams in order to improve different skill-sets including communication.

“We’re doing a lot of sets with the other doubles teams,” Peard said. “I think our communication will get better as a double team, and as a team in general.”

An important factor for the doubles team is leadership. Chen says that since there are only a few senior players, younger players step up and experience being leaders.

“We always have one or two people who are a bit older and so it allows for a lot of people to experience leadership roles,” Chen said. “Every year gives someone new a leadership ability.”

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Emma Johnson