Varsity Girls Tennis Season Wraps Up

The Greendale Girls Varsity Tennis Team has finished its successful season, and fortunately for the girls the season ended by cheering on junior Valentina Kukuruzovic at the state meet on Thursday, Oct. 12. Unfortunately she lost in the first round.

“It was pretty exciting and I think I played well. I just need to work on my consistency. I am proud to play at state especially because most people don’t get the opportunity to do so,” Kukuruzovic said.

Kukuruzoic was happy to have her teammates supporting her.

“It helped me a lot to have them there, even though I was losing. Knowing that I had people there to support helped out a lot,” Kukuruzovic said.

Prior to State, on Oct. 4, Kukuruzovic and senior Kelly Hanlon competed in singles and  junior Elly Hottinger and freshman Katrina Briselden competed as doubles partners at Sectionals. Kukuruzovic took second.

“We had a lot of fun. It was both of our first times making it to Sectionals, so we were excited to be there. We played really well. We played a good team so we weren’t that disappointed that we lost,” Hottinger said.

Late last month, the team took 5th overall in the Conference Tournament, out of 12 teams. Kukuruzovic earned a bronze medal and Briselden earned a silver. Captains Hanlon and Hottinger scored 4th in the main draw, and doubles junior Kayla Magerowski and sophomore Abbie Wood took 1st place in the Consolation side, as well as senior Asia Johnson and freshman Megan Jacobs who took 2nd.

After Conference, the freshmen varsity players Briselden and Jacobs agree that their season at the high school has been an amazing experience.

“The girls were accepting and made us feel like we belonged on the team,” Jacobs said.

Briselden agrees. “We all care about each other and are very close to one another both as teammates and as friends,” Briselden said. “We support each other 100% and want each other to do our best as individuals and as a team. We have improved as a team in general playing to the best of our abilities and cheering each other on. We motivate each other never to give up.”

“This year we did really well compared to past years. It was fun having basically a whole new team. It was cool seeing people move up to Varsity, I got so much better,” Hottinger said.

Jacobs and Briselden both agreed that Varsity Coach Nicolette Timm, was phenomenal this year.

“We have a great Coach! She is kind, and helps us learn new, beneficial skills,” Jacobs said. “She doesn’t yell, instead she always has a positive attitude. She definitely helps us find the best strategies to use during matches and how to analyze our opponents. She has significantly helped our team to improve!”

Briselden summed up the season well.

“We win and lose as a team. We rise and fall as a team,” Briselden said.