WOODBURY — The upcoming season for the Nonnewaug girls tennis team is quickly and the seniors are gearing up for their last season together on the court.
“This season holds the promise to be a good one,” said head coach Chris York. “We have five seniors coming back, two juniors, four sophomores, and we’re down to around eight freshmen.”
For York and the team, this year and next will be heavily reliant on underclassmen.
“Next year we will be down to two seniors,” York adds, “and it’s going to be a young team for sure. We’ve got a really nice group of seniors and it’s always just a fun time with them.”
“It’s a pretty bittersweet feeling to end any sports career,” said senior captain Skylar Chung. “I started playing tennis freshman year, which is short compared to how long I’ve played other sports, but it still became something that I really love. I’m going to miss it a lot when it’s over, but I know I’ll definitely continue to play for fun after high school.”
While the team enjoys every second they have together on the court, expectations are high for a group replete with talent.
“We have won three league titles in a row and this year we’re shooting for a fourth year,” Chung said.
For the seniors, they are yet to lose the Berkshire League title, and for them, they are more determined than ever to make their last and final year their full four-year streak.
The Chiefs have a complete home facility with six courts that gives a lot of opportunities for athletes to play.
“The benefits we have of six courts makes it easier for our JV to play, but also a little more sticky as we oftentimes have to ask some kids to play another [match]; most don’t have a problem with it, though,” York explained. “The season will bring some more out-of-league [matches] and offer much more to the Nonnewaug girls as for some it will be their last.”
Despite the team falling short in the state tournament, York understands the value of the experience gained within BL play.
“Getting out of the Berkshire League tournament and playing outside of it and getting more playing out-of-league matches have completely changed our outlook,” York said. “It helped us tremendously, as well; the girls learn to play with teams other than the schools within the Berkshire League and it teaches them a lot.”
