After losing 18 seniors this past year, the tennis team has been coming up with plans on how to fill the shoes of the past seniors. Senior and captain Carter Swope feels like he has big shoes to fill after taking the role of the seniors and as captain.
“As captain now, we have definitely made a few adjustments,” Swope said. “ but I’ve definitely tried to be encouraging to all of the players and make the freshman and sophomores feel more comfortable.”
Swope also says although they lost quite a few players, they still have some amazing talent and more talent to come in the next few years.
“Obviously it was hard to see all those players leave,” Swope said. “ But we have some really good talent on the team, and coming up in the next couple of years so I am very excited.”
According to sophomore Presley Lawson, the seniors are continuing to lead, encourage, and support the underclassman every season.
“ I think the leaders of the team are helping us by making sure we are all organized and we keep everything together,” Lawson explained. “They’re also just super supportive of everyone including those who aren’t on varsity.”
For some of the younger members on the team, they believe some of the best leaders are the ones who continuously show up. Including Swope and seniors, Bella Drummonds, Connor King, and Zoe Capps.
“Carter and Connor are amazing captains and they’re always there,” Lawson said.” and Zoe and Bella are always supporting everyone on the team.”
Although the conference season has just started, the team is already running into some problems. Dealing with the heat and finding practice time around the intense heat has become an issue.
“The hardest part so far has been dealing with the extreme heat which is obviously difficult to play in,” Swope said. “So we have had to make some adjustments but I think that our team has powered through it very well.”
Drummonds also agrees that the heat has been very challenging so far this season.
“The heat has honestly been our biggest challenge,” Drummonds said.” It has been so insanely hot and draining to play in this weather.”
Drummonds and other members of the team feel excited but also sad that this is their last season playing tennis.
“ I am honestly so sad it is my last season because a lot of underclassmen have become some of my best friends,” Drummonds said.” Har-Ber tennis has offered me not only a really fun sport, but also new friendships that I wouldn’t have if I wouldn’t have joined the team.”