The South Windsor girls tennis team is having another impressive season, holding a 11–1 record after coming off an undefeated season last year. Through hard work and strong leadership the team continues to defeat competitors.
Senior captain Amanda Marques and Lassya Challa moved up from D2 to D1 this year and have had an undefeated season as doubles partners. Marques credited their success as partners to their chemistry “It is nice to have her as a partner for a second year because we know each other and play well together,” senior Amanda Marques told The Prowl.
One of the team’s toughest matches this season was against Glastonbury High School. The match tested the team’s focus as well as intensity, especially against a strong player on the opposing team who had a hard serve to read. South Windsor won the first set 6-1 and the second 7-5.
For the final point Amanda and Lassya were last on the court. Marques described it as stressful but rewarding, “I was just running back and forth and then the player on the other team hit it into the net. I just ran up to Lassya and hugged her, glad it was over,” Marques told The Prowl.
The team faced Southington in another difficult match as well as Glastonbury again in back-to-back matches which challenged the team. However South Windsor still came away victorious in both.
Our players credit most of their success to Coach Belval, whose calm leadership in high pressure moments reassures them that they will come out victorious. Since Coach Belval is only able to speak to the players during turnovers, her brief moments of advice have become a key piece of support for the girls during important matches. “Normally we go up to her in a panic, but she always says it is ok, you know what you are doing. She is very reassuring. She tells us these girls aren’t better than us.”
This year the team has six seniors that make up most of the lineup. Captains Amanda Marques, Lavanya Rathore and Natalie Chin have all been committed to the team for the past four years so they have a great understanding of how the team works and allowing them to guide the team well because of that.
With the excitement that comes with being a senior it is also hard for them to know this is their last year as a part of the team but also look forward to senior night on May 18th.
The team’s chemistry extends off the tennis court, players have mentioned how they give each other rides to practices as well as hold pasta parties and go to Oakland Pizza or Dairy Queen after matches. According to the players, close bonds have helped the team throughout the season.
“This year during one of the matches, we were down to our final match and every member of the team was lined up along the curb cheering,” Rathore said. “Seeing this team spirit made me see how competitive but also so considerate our team is. We know tennis etiquette,”
For senior Lavanya Rathore, this season has been especially meaningful
“As a senior, it is definitely nostalgic,” Rathore said. “Before I played high school tennis I played tennis individually, but after coming to high school I understood what a team culture is,”
After high school Lavanya plans to go to UConn majoring in actuarial finance while continuing to play club tennis there.
As the season continues South Windsor girls tennis plans to finish with a strong season and continue to play to their best efforts.
