Eliza Muse ’23 is a four-year Senior and captain of Girls Varsity Tennis from New York City. Muse has played for the team since her Prep year, and, this year, led the team to a successful spring season, including a Founders League championship. Off the court, Muse is a two-year proctor, board member of Bluestockings, and member of the Residential Life Committee. This fall, Muse will attend Yale University, where she plans to study economics and math.
When and how did you start playing tennis?
My family is full of tennis players. My parents and grandparents often play mixed-doubles together, so they stuck me on the court when I was around three years-old.
Growing up in New York City, it was often difficult to play, so I spent my summers in Fire Island, Connecticut, practicing and improving my skills. Throughout my middle school years, I began participating in United States Tennis Association competitions.
At the end of middle school, I took a break from the sport, but quickly regained my passion and technique to try out for the Girls Varsity Tennis team during my Prep year.
I had a brother here who was two years older who was a player on the Boys Varsity Tennis team and absolutely loved his experience. So it was a big goal of mine to make it onto Varsity as a Prep.
How has the tennis program helped you progress as a player?
The team has helped me simply get on the court more often. During the season, I play every day, and I believe this is the best way to improve my game. By hitting and adjusting my strokes, I find I have progressed as a player during my time here.
Additionally, the tennis program has transformed my mindset as a player. Addie Cirulis ’25, my doubles partner for the 2023 season, is such a positive light on the court. She constantly reminds me to stop being hard on myself, keep moving forward, and stay positive.
How did the past season go for Girls Varsity Tennis?
I’m very proud to say that we went undefeated in the Founders League. After receiving that title, we advanced to New Englands, where we unfortunately fell to Greenwich Academy in the quarter finals with a close score of 3-5.
What is your favorite memory from your four years on the team?
My favorite memory was from the New Englands tournament last year, where we faced Deerfield in the first round. We unfortunately lost and headed home on the two-and-a-half hour bus ride defeated.
However, that all changed when we arrived back on campus. It was 95 degrees and sunny out, with no Saturday classes — a perfect day for spending outside. So Coach Maja Clark took the whole team down to the lake. We all jumped in, still wearing our white tennis dresses. I’ll never forget that special moment with the team.
