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Photo Courtesy Maggie Germundson

Junior Emma Germundson in action during warm ups with senior partner Olivia Anderson. Germundson said, "If you know your partner's strengths and weaknesses, you are more likely to work better as a team."

The girls Tennis season may seem like it is winding down, but it is actually just starting up as the girls head into the post-season. The Pony’s regular season has come to a close. The Varsity girls walked away with a record of seven and five. Now that the heat is on with singles and doubles matches soon underway, some of the players are preparing for the post season.

Junior Kathleen Billingsley said, “It’s a bit nerve-wracking because you are all alone on the court. Every match is different for me. Who I play affects how I play.”

As a single match participant, a player stands alone on the court. Before they take this position however, they practice together with teammates to warm up for the challenge of standing alone in a singles match.  The girls tennis team cheers and encourages each other, so that even in a singles match, the player has the whole team supporting behind her.

Billingsley said, “I have only been on the team for one year prior, but I know we’ve lost a lot of good seniors, and we have a very young team, but despite that we have managed well. My favorite memory is probably just being with the team. Everyone on the team is so funny and nice. We all have a lot of fun together.”

Junior Emma Germundson said, “The first round we play Fridley and I am hoping for a win because we have beaten them before.  Past that, I’m not sure who we play. I know we have some tough competition in our bracket, and expect to see some difficult matches ahead, but we are hoping for some success.”

Team bonding is an important aspect of the team’s success. The girls know, as with any sport, the mental aspect of a game is what often drives success. In this case, knowing your partner’s thoughts and strategy help to build a strong doubles team. This plays a big role in how the duo builds and maintains success when they hit the court together and outwit the opposing doubles team.

Germundson said, “My partner is Olivia Anderson. She is a senior. Throughout the season, we both have strived to improve in different areas to improve our game and strategy, but the best way to prepare is to get to know your partner. If you know your partner’s strengths and weaknesses, you are more likely to work better as a team.”

Senior Olivia Anderson said, “You have to communicate with your partner, discuss what play you are going to do in the next point, cheer them on, give high fives and be encouraging.”

The girl’s seedings will be determined by how well each girl performed throughout the year going into the post-season. The girls head into state this week at the University of Minnesota and are not looking to give up without a fight.