The girls varsity tennis team has undergone quite a few changes and challenges during the past offseason, as the team lost all but one player to graduation last year. This not only left a void on the team, but also made their upcoming season feel extremely uncertain. However, as the six new varsity players took their spots, much of the anxiety surrounding the season dissolved, and this sense of newness, according to returning varsity player and NHS senior Bella Duncan, helped push the team to achieve new goals and become stronger.
“It’s kind of upsetting that we lost most of our varsity. I am the only one left, because I was one of the youngest ones on the team, but honestly, it’s good for growth too,” Duncan said.
Despite Duncan’s optimistic perspective, the team has also experienced their fair share of obstacles with a roster of all new players. And according to the team’s head coach Chris Pyle, some tough decisions and adjustments had to be made as the season has progressed to accommodate these new players.
“Some anxieties [surrounding this season] are definitely trying to find a lineup because we lost six players,” Pyle said. “I’m not one to try and mix up a starting lineup every single match, so my goal is to try and find one as soon as possible, so that everyone can kind of settle into a spot, and kind of learn where they’re gonna play for the rest of the year.”
However, Pyle and Duncan weren’t the only ones feeling the pressure, as players stepping into the varsity spots were a bit anxious for the upcoming season. Junior Emma Bogan is among those who are playing varsity for the first time this year, and she has felt both excited and nervous about her new team.
“I think it’s very fun [being on varsity this year]. Definitely a lot more nerves, but I think this year I’m going into the season with more of a positive mind,” Bogan said. “An understanding that you’re here to have fun and you’re here to build a community is a better one than just being so strict and hard on yourself.”
But even though the team has gone through some growing pains, the players say they have managed to become a close-knit community with plenty of fun and heartfelt memories being made as the season has progressed.
“Everyone’s got a nickname, either accidental or purposeful. We have Belly (Bella), Bogey (Bogan), Carol. Bella is called Belly because the coach said her name wrong in a line up, and the coach just went with it,” Bogan said.
The nicknames aren’t the only thing bringing the team joy. According to Pyle, it has been remarkable to see each player improve not only as a tennis player, but as a person and a teammate.
“A positive is watching everyone grow who’s been waiting and working hard for two or three years, waiting for a chance to get under the spotlight a little bit,” Pyle said.
And for those who are currently in their final season as a Miller, it can be hard to let go of the memories and sisterhood that this team has brought their lives.
“It’s bittersweet [that this is my last season]. I’ve had a lot of memories with this team, a lot of records and all that. I’m really excited, but also really sad because I won’t ever have this again,” Duncan said.
But seniors aren’t the only ones already dreading eventually leaving the team. Bogan, who’s only a junior, can’t imagine her future without the community that the tennis program has brought her.
“I’m a junior, I have one more year after this which is really sad but I think this has really helped throughout high school with building friendships and getting to know people on a deeper level, and having support regardless,” Bogan said. “You see everyone at school, it doesn’t have to be in season, it’s nice to see friendly faces all the time.”
And even though some of the team will continue their tennis career like Duncan or pursue other activities, they say they will always remember the time they spent and the people they met on this team.
“I’ll always support Noblesville,” Duncan said. “Once a Miller, always a Miller.”
