Freddy Casey

The team poses for victory after their match against Beth Tfiloh on September 5th.

Heading to their first league match on September 5th, the IAAM tennis team was buzzing with anticipation to face their biggest rivals: Beth Tfiloh Dahan Community School. Friends lost some close matches against that team last year. This year, they are hoping for a different result. 

Under the leadership of new coach Bertin Karenzi, also known as BK, the IAAM team (for female- and non-binary-identifying athletes) has done more conditioning this fall than ever before. Sprints, suicides, and M-drills mark the start of almost every practice. Even lighthearted tennis games have gotten more competitive, as the losers have to do sprints. 

But this higher intensity seems to be making a difference. Last year the team finished in the middle of the conference, splitting their eight matches 4-4. So far this year, they are undefeated.

The Beth Tfiloh match ended in a 5-0 sweep. After the match, players stood in a circle — BK demands a perfect circle — and discussed their matches. Aisling Peters led No. 3 doubles to a win with fierce smashes at the net. New teammates Vanya Gurachevsky and Romy Clark took down the number No. 2 doubles team even when their opponents mistook the lines as out instead of in. And despite playing long rallies, No. 2 singles player Isabelle Ruley quickly took care of her opponent. 

In their next match, the tennis team took on Mercy High School, whose tennis team was founded just last year. No. 1 and No. 2 doubles won easily. But it was a tight couple of second sets for singles players Chloe Lyons and Isabelle Ruley, as they struggled against players who always seemed to get the ball back. But their experience and powerful shots allowed them to prevail. Finally, the whole team gathered to watch No. 3 doubles. Despite being down 2-3 in the first set, they turned things around to win 6-3, 6-2 – for another 5-0 sweep. 

Their undefeated streak continued in their match against St. Timothy’s School on September 19th. Going into that match, Friends and St. Tim’s were tied for first in the conference.

“Our players are working harder than I’ve seen in the last three years that I’ve been with this team,” said Assistant Coach Hoa Cost.

Even though their streak has given the team confidence, the season is far from over. On Monday, September 23rd, the team will finish a match against Glenelg Country School that was interrupted due to rain.