The undefeated LM Girls’ tennis team is crushing its competition so far this season. The team has unlimited potential and has continued to prove this in each practice and match over the past couple months. Breezing past rivals like Harriton and Radnor, they are determined to fight through each round of the playoffs and continue their climb to the top. With captains Katie Haves ’25, Ella Hoffman ’25 and Josephine Cini ’25 leading the way, the Aces are having a fun and competitive season.
All 45 girls go into each matchwith a confident mindset, feeling prepared to demonstrate all of the work they have put into the season so far. Last year, their season came to an end in the first round of the playoffs when they lost an incredibly close match to Wissahickon High School. The girls have high hopes for this year, aiming to go further than previous years. This is a realistic expectation, considering the amazing young talent that has joined this year. The team visited districts and the state championships numerous times in the early 2000s, but 2005 marks the most recent year the Aces won the state title. They are extremely eager to end this championship drought and win a title this year.
In addition to its greatest rivals, Harriton and Radnor, the team has walked off the courts as winners against Garnet Valley, Marple Newtown, Springfield, Ridley, Downingtown West, Haverford, Penncrest and Conestoga. In their most anticipated match of the season, the Aces pulled off a huge statement win against a tough Council Rock South team. Each of these victories are significant to the Aces, who in past years considered these matches much more difficult.
When asked about what it feels like to have the honor of being a senior captain of a team with so much rising potential, Hoffman used words like “inspiring” and “exciting” to express her emotions. She also stated, “In my four years of being on the tennis team, we have never been this competitive or able to walk away easily from as many matches with wins.”
The team’s hard work and dedication on the court not only includes showing up each day to play competitive tennis, but equally involves cheering everyone on through the good moments and bad. This type of support empowers the team as a whole and builds confidence in each individual player. Tennis can be a physically and mentally challenging sport, and feeling like your team believes in you can make all the difference in a stressful situation. Nevertheless, it is just as important for the team to develop a strong sense of togetherness and pride off the court. The girls choose to spend quality time together, celebrating everything from regular practices to big matches. Haves expressed that the team’s close relationship “feels like being part of a family where everyone looks out for each other and celebrates each other’s successes.”
With the 2024 regular season finishing off strong, your Aces are looking to dominate the early rounds of the playoffs, but it doesn’t stop there. With a highly talented singles lineup consisting of Jasmine Taylor ’28 at first singles and sisters Shaila and Eden Anolik ’27 at second and third singles, the opposing teams will have to come prepared. The doubles teams are just as ready and are looking forward to displaying everything they have worked for through their training. Resilience and perseverance are two qualities that the Aces will require to overcome the undeniable challenges that lie ahead. Whatever is in store, the girls will not go down without a hard fought match.
