Highland girls tennis has fun on courts, despite record

For the Highland girls tennis team, the measure of a good season is not necessarily a winning record. Most of the players rarely pick up a racket during the offseason and instead focus on other sports. While that might worry other coaches, Highland’s coach Sharon Snyder isn’t too concerned about it.

“We do the best we can and have a good time doing it,” she said. “We are in the middle of our region -- some better teams and some not as good. That doesn’t mean we’re not working hard to win.”

This year’s varsity singles team is made up of starters with a lot of experience. On first singles is Victoria Lara with Carol Foote on second singles and Sarah Koelliker on third singles.

The doubles partnerships are new this year and feature Hannah VanLeeuwen and Eliza Burnett on first singles, and Sammi McConkie and Annie Nielsen on second doubles. Koelliker was part of the first doubles team last year but decided to make the move to singles, Snyder said.

Lara, Foote, Koelliker, and Nielsen have state experience. They all qualified for state last year. While none of them went past the second round, the experience playing the best tennis players in 4A will help them on the courts during the regular season.

“Our team goal this year is to qualify everyone for state,” Snyder said. “I’ve seen them working hard and improving with each game.”

Many of the girls play more than one sport during the school year. Snyder said while her players are talented, they lack the depth that comes from playing one sport consistently through the year. The team has struggled so far this season, dropping matches against East and Woods Cross.

Snyder said that small changes on the courts can mean more wins, which is what the players need to qualify for state. The goal for the players this year is consistency, which means a greater likely hood of reaching the team goal.

“These are very talented athletes and after tough losses, they realize if they are going to get better, they have to play more,” she said.

Girl’s tennis has a short six-week season that will culminate, Oct. 7-8, with the state tournament. With no divisional tournament this year, Snyder said every match will count to get the girls to state.

“This team is coming along and practicing hard. I have every confidence they will reach their goals,” she said.