Aarna Mishra

Senior Maddy Chung serves the winning point of the match. Playing tennis at the high school level for the all four years, she has grown as a player throughout.

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Aarna Mishra

Senior Maddy Chung serves the winning point of the match. Playing tennis at the high school level for the all four years, she has grown as a player throughout.

On the evening of Tues. Sep 17, the Girls’ Varsity tennis team won all their matches against the Mundelein Mustangs. With a score of 7-0, the team celebrated its seniors in its annual Senior Night ceremony.

Even though the Wildcats ultimately won every set of the night, several matches started particularly close. At first doubles, sophomore Jasmine Yu and Lyza Schekaturova won the closest set of the evening, fighting their opponents during the first set (7-5) to dominate the second set (6-0).

Freshman Ana Milikovic consistently played and won her two singles match, dropping only three games in a 6-2, 6-1 victory. On the doubles courts, seniors Caitlin Hakanen and Sarah Yoon claimed a successful win at two doubles at 6-2, 6-1; moreover, seniors Maddy Chung and Lucy Tyll controlled the net for an impressive win at 6-1, 6-1 for four doubles. Chung closed out her match with steady serving and net play, sealing another straight-sets win for the Wildcats. Following the suit of their teammates, senior Domenica Tino and Amy Kerrigan spent their evening acquiring yet another win with powerful net play and decisive ball placement, ending both sets at 6-1.

As the last match of the night, sophomore Avalynn Pratt gracefully secured the full sweep for the Wildcats this night with a 6-0, 6-0 victory. Performing with perfect form, smooth strokes and a powerful serve, Pratt took her win with a hard-earned clean sweep.

With half of the roster graduating this year, this night highlighted more than just the final score. Emotions ran high as seniors reflected on their time together.“They were all kind of, I think, a little worried about [Senior Night], and they wanted to do well,” Head Varsity Coach Dan Kiernan said.

For seniors in particular, this match carried extra meaning. Saying goodbye to their high school teammates and experiences is inevitable, but the bittersweet reality has motivated them to make the most of their final season.

“I’m just gonna miss all the friends I made on the team and getting to play every day,” senior Lucy Tyll said.

Unique to tennis, the girls have built a deeper connection not only with the entire team but especially with their doubles partners. Sharing the court requires constant communication, trust, and awareness of each other’s strengths, which has allowed these partnerships to grow into strong bonds both on and off the court.

“I have a connection with all of my teammates, but especially having a very consistent doubles partner, I think it makes that connection even stronger,” said senior Amy Kerrigan.

The team will continue their season, which culminates in their final state conference, with an invitational on Fri. Sep 19 at Buffalo Grove. This match will test the team’s strength and see if the Wildcats have what it takes to win at state.