Girls’ Varsity Tennis, led by Head Coach Maja Clark and co-captains Lara Jayanti ’26, Minnie Li ’26, and Stella Liao ’27, kicked off the season strong with a 5-1 record.
This year, five new players joined eight returning players on the team. Many members trained together during the winter tennis concentration and traveled to Florida over spring break, where they practiced outdoors and strengthened their connections as a team over seven days. “The team is really energetic and bonded,” said Liao. “The transition into the season felt smooth, because we already knew each other well.”
The team remains undefeated against Founders League schools. Head Coach Clark said, “We have solid players across the lineup. We can put anyone into a match and still expect strong results. The depth has allowed the team to stay flexible and confident, even when facing different opponents and match conditions.”
The team’s only loss so far was against Hoosac School, where they fell 2-7 on Saturday, April 18—an improvement from last year’s 1-8 result. Caroline Royce ’29 and Mia Tan ’28 secured the team’s two wins in the match. “It was a good reflection of our strengths and weaknesses,” said Liao. “It helped us understand our level and set higher goals for the rest of the season. It was definitely a valuable learning experience, highlighting areas such as consistency and match strategy that the team continues to refine.”
New players have made an immediate impact on the team’s performance and culture. Royce has taken on the No.1 singles position. “Although she is just a Prep, she has great athleticism and mental strength,” Coach Clark said. Royce said, “The team is fun, and everyone is very welcoming. It has quickly felt like a family. I want to contribute to the team by stepping to the next level as an individual player by focusing on my serving and accuracy.”
Other new players, including Lyyli Stern ’26 and Claire Lee ’28, have also contributed to the team’s energy in distinct ways. “The new players bring a wide range of athletic backgrounds and perspectives. Everyone is smiling more, and we’ve built a team without unnecessary tension,” Liao said.
“Stern, a Senior and varsity soccer player, brings strong sportsmanship and a disciplined work ethic that translates seamlessly onto the tennis court. Lee, who played on the JV team last year, has emerged with a noticeably highlighted level of competitiveness and drive,” Coach Clark said.
“We have a balanced team culture, where players push each other to improve while maintaining a supportive environment,” Royce said.
Coach Clark said, “Both on and off the court, the team is amazing and fun to coach. Tennis-wise, in the short season, players need to work on different skills and stay disciplined, but everyone is so responsive and focused. I love to see the players maintain such a supportive atmosphere as well. It’s so nice to see players always encouraging each other during matches and practices.”
The team hope to continue its success in the Founders League and compete for the championship title again. “This year, we want to go further, hopefully to the semifinals or finals,” said Liao.
The team will face off against Greenwich Academy on May 2, and then play Miss Porter’s, Taft, and Kingswood Oxford to close the season.
