For Lillian Novack ’29, trying out for the girls’ tennis team at South was no question. Following tryouts, her passion and training throughout the past year paid off when she made the varsity team. This would be a special feat for any freshman, including the four others who made the team with her.With the season just beginning, Novack is beginning to settle into the team.
“Tryouts were just a couple weeks ago and we haven’t really started too much,” Novack said. “But so far, everyone’s been just the sweetest and it’s been honestly a lot of fun.”
Within just a few weeks, though, Aubrey Lindow ’27, a veteran on the team, has already noticed the impact the younger players are making.
“I think it’s going to be really good because all these new freshmen that are coming in are bringing a lot of energy and motivation every day to practice,” Lindow said. “We lost a lot of seniors last year, so it’s definitely different from last year and it’s going to take a little bit of time to adjust.”
While the freshmen bring skill and enthusiasm to the team, they also face challenges. Jumping straight into varsity competition can be especially difficult for new team members due to their limited playing experience, according to head coach Mark Sobieralski.
“[The freshmen] have just got to learn,” Sobieralski said. “When you play upperclassmen, they’ve got a lot more experience. The freshmen are going to learn a lot this year.”
Novack recognizes this experience gap in herself as a freshman and said she is putting in the work to close it.
“Coaches will help us [freshmen] and work with us extra because we don’t really have the experience that the other girls have,” Novack said. “We just have to learn and this year will just be a big growing experience for us.”
Even with a younger roster, expectations for the team remain high. Despite the challenges the team will face this season, Sobieralski remains hopeful that they will live up to the tennis program’s previous success.
“I’m praying we can finish in the top 10. Since 1972, we’ve finished in the top 10 every year but once,” Sobieralski said. “It’s going to be tough, but that’s our goal.”
With a mix of old and new talent on the team, the team’s success will lie in how the young players grow into their roles. Yet, as the team adjusts to a younger roster, Lindow remains optimistic, saying the incoming freshmen have brought renewed energy and begun to shape the team’s dynamics.
“They’ve put so much time into the off-season and it’s showing because they come to practice ready every single day wanting to improve,” Lindow said. “We’re already getting along really well, so I think all these new faces are going to really make an impact on the team this year.”
