BY GRACE PANTALONE

Covid-19 has ruined a lot of different sports seasons, but the Wadsworth Girls Tennis team has flourished during these unprecedented times.

Despite losing first singles player, Gabi Heideman, and the first doubles team, Haleigh Saylor and Jillian Cornacchione, Varsity A has been doing better this year. They finished the season with a 13-5 record and a 4th place finish at Suburban League compared to a 10-10 record last year. 

“This year I think our record was better because our wins were more spread out,” said Allie McCall, Co-captain of Varsity. “Last season, we lost a lot of matches 2-3 and this year we came out on top 3-2 for a lot of close ones.” 

 All three teams, Varsity A, Varsity B and Junior Varsity, have been winning most of their matches. The Varsity A team has been doing well considering their circumstances with only two seniors, Kristen Butcher and Emily Brandyberry, on the team. 

“I think we have a nice mixture of kids,” said Coach Kristy Nichol. “We have good experience from the older kids”

Along with Varsity A, both Varsity B and JV are having winning seasons as well. Varsity B has a 10-4 record with Coach AJ Hanna, who became the girls Varsity B coach this year and got to move up with his JV team from the previous season. Coach John Hutchinson, who teaches at Coventry, became the JV coach this season and they have a record of 10-6. 

“I’d say we’re doing pretty good… We’ve definitely had some challenging matches,” said Morgan Raymond, second singles player for Varsity B. 

Regarding practices and matches, not a lot has changed. Most schools have bottles of hand sanitizer by their courts for players to use when coming on and off the courts. Many other safety measures have been put in place over the season for the players. 

“At the beginning of the season we couldn’t share tennis balls with anyone,” said Raymond. “We also have to wear a mask when not on the court and can’t do our lineup which is like a big cheer for your teammates.”

The Wadsworth Girls Tennis team has managed to hold a strong record throughout the pandemic. Even though their season is short, a lot changed throughout the months.