Two games into their season, the varsity girls’ tennis team is gearing up to win first place at the League Tournament. League is a competition among local high school girls’ tennis teams where the top singles and doubles teams play against one another for the first-place title.

“We basically got four, tournament ranked, junior players on the team out of our top nine, which is why we have such a strong team this year,” head coach Carl Joyce said.

According to Joyce, the tournament ranked players — senior Sylvie Van Cott, junior Lauren Kessler, sophomore Noa Volk and freshman Ruby Van Cott — are not the only reason why the varsity team is strong this year.

“This year, there’s a little bit more team bonding and everyone’s a little bit closer. But really, it just comes down to a stronger team with the new players,” Joyce said.

According to junior and team member Maddy Barney-Gibbs, the bonding happens on the court as well.

“When we’re both motivated to win, especially against a difficult team, we tend to high-five. It sounds silly, but when you high-five or click rackets together, it’s like a little bonding experience with every point that gets you motivated to do better. You just feel more united,” Barney-Gibbs said.

Senior and team captain Sylvie Van Cott said that aside from bonding, the team is trying to build a mentoring culture.

“I just like helping people with any type of tennis activity … [I want to] be a role model as well. I’ve always looked up to the seniors on the team in the years before, and I kind of want to be that for the other kids” Van Cott said.

In addition to being a mentor, Van Cott made the decision to buy the girls’ tennis team dresses this year.

“We always used to wear a shirt and a skirt — it would look like a dress. But I wanted to wear a dress because I think they’re really cute,” Van Cott said. “They do look good on everyone, all body types … I think we look more fierce and at the same time feminine.”

Barney-Gibbs said that the best part of the season is when everyone’s competitive natures kick in.

“We all get into the competitive mode. I like the competitive part of it, acting as a real team. And when we win a match, it’s really satisfying and makes you feel good,” Barney-Gibbs said.

Even though there is a competitive nature, the girls said they focus on having fun as well.

“I really enjoy playing on the girls’ tennis team. I think it’s really fun, and my friends are on it. And we have a good time, and we travel and we play together. We like to make it as fun as possible,” sophomore and team member Lilly Fuller said.