The Brecksville Broadview Heights Girls Tennis team has stormed the court thirteen times so far this season with a record of five wins and eight losses. Now as they head into the Varsity Tennis Sectionals Week, the Lady Bees recap the highs and the lows of this season and explain how they are feeling as the season draws to an end.
September 9, on their own court, the Lady Bees gave it their all against Westlake High School, but in the end were defeated with the final score being 0-5. Janet Haynes, a freshman tennis player on the girl’s varsity team, expressed her disappointment with how the matches turned out, but was still optimistic that she was able to have fun playing doubles.
Anna Gallo, also a freshman, recalled her time on the court, “The first set I was kind of scrapping out and trying my hardest, and it would just go back and forth.” She continued to fight hard, but found herself on the losing end of the match.
Although the match ended poorly for the Bees, Audrey Fowler, a junior playing varsity doubles, was able to see some positives from the match. “This match, Westlake, was good. We lost, but we tried our best. I think my partner and I worked well together and got along that day, and I think it was a fun match; the other team was really nice,” she says.
September 10 found them in action again, this time against Solon High School. The Lady Bees had another challenging fight, but unfortunately found themselves on the losing end, with a score of 0-5. “I had really good serves that day, and strong forehands. I also had good footwork, but I could have prolonged points,” Gallo recalls.
Cassandra Costin, a second singles varsity senior, had a similar outcome to her match. She was not expected to win, but she was able to give it her best effort.
For the third day in a row, the Lady Bees met on the court to go against Stow-Munroe Falls on September 11. This time their hard work paid off, as they were able to celebrate a well earned win. Vanshika Myneni, a first singles varsity sophomore, won her match in only two sets with the results being, 6-2 and 6-1. Costin was also extremely successful during her match, winning it in two sets.
Stella Anastasakis, a varsity doubles sophomore, and Haynes teamed up for the first time during this match and although they gave it their best effort, they were defeated by Stow-Munroe Falls’ varsity doubles team.
Fowler says, “I played with Carly [Mroczka, a senior varsity doubles player], I think we played well; we tried our best.” Varsity had a close win, with the Lady Bees beating Stow-Munroe Falls by only a point. This game was a great reflection of the girls’ dedication to the sport and their determination to win.
September 15, the Lady Bees took down their opponents, Twinsburg High School, with an impressive score of 4-1. Gallo lost the first set, but came back in the second and third sets to take home a win. The team’s win was vital to boosting their confidence going into the next game, just four days away at Highland for the Varsity Tennis Conference Tourney.
September 19 marked the biggest day yet for the Varsity Lady Bees Tennis Team. At the Varsity Tennis Conference Tourney the girls had an amazing day, placing third in the Suburban League/National Conference. Gallo placed third in the third singles bracket. Haynes and Danielle Zetts, a freshman on the BBHHS varsity tennis team, paired up for the tournament and placed fourth in the first varsity doubles bracket.
Daniel Reynolds, the Bees tennis coach, even says that the tournament might be his favorite memory from the season, “… the girls grinding out their 5 conference wins and taking third at the tournament were probably my best memories thus far.”
In the next few days, the Girls Tennis Team will continue to wrap up their season, and prepare for Varsity Tennis Sectionals Week. Wednesday, September 24, the Lady Bees JV Tennis team has a match against Wadsworth, here, on their own court. The next day, on September 25, the Girls Tennis Varsity team plays at Walsh Jesuit High School and JV plays at home.
September 29 marks the start of Varsity Tennis Sectionals Week, but the Lady Bees Varsity Team will be at home to compete against Wooster High School, for senior night.
Tuesday, September 30, they will face off against Strongsville High School with JV playing at home and Varsity playing away.
Next week, the Lady Bees will take the court at Springside Athletic Club for the Varsity Tennis Sectionals Week, which will be their last matches of the season. Most of the girls are excited to play, as they are currently ranked third in the conference, behind Hudson and Solon.
“The team has never been to sectionals before so I don’t think they know what to expect, but I am excited to play doubles in the tourney, instead of my regular singles,” Costin states. She also expresses her hope for a chance to do well during the tournament with her doubles partner, Myneni.
Coach Reynolds explains, “I expect us to compete well, but I know for us to win and advance that it will take some grit and determination, which we undoubtedly have.”
A major contributor to the successful season of the Lady Bees Tennis Team was the addition of four new freshmen, who definitely have proven themselves as equal competitors on the court and positive spirits off.
“Danielle Zetts is very energetic and excited to be playing tennis. I think her positive attitude is uplifting, especially after a tough loss,” says Costin.
“All three of them [Zetts, Gallo, and Haynes] made varsity, which is really impressive as freshmen to just show up at tryouts and I’m really proud of all of them. They’re great girls and I love them so much. They’re really friendly and I think they’re a great addition to the team,” explains Fowler.
The opinions of both girls are shared amongst their teammates, and even the freshmen themselves, as Haynes shouts out Gallo for an impressive start to her high school tennis career.
Not only have the freshmen aided the team, but the more experienced upperclassmen have guided the young, new players down a successful path. Coach Reynolds notes the accomplishments of senior Cassandra Costin, throughout her four years as a part of the tennis team. “She has worked hard through her four year career on the tennis team, three of which were on varsity. Her endurance and mental toughness in her matches this season have been great, and she has been a major factor in our many wins and finishing third at the conference tourney.”
With only a week left, the girls are feeling mixed emotions about the season drawing to an end. Seniors specifically, are reminiscing on the past four years they spent on the team and are disheartened that they will no longer be a part of this amazing group of girls. Costin says, “I am sad because it will be my last time playing tennis for a team.”
The freshmen are also feeling the effects of how quickly the season flew by. “It’s also sad because it’s the end of the season, and it will be my first one,” says Haynes.
Coach Reynolds sums things up saying, “Seeing the season end is always bittersweet as it is short, but grueling, to be competing each and every day. I am pleased where we are as a team and look forward to what’s to come for next year.”
The Lady Bees Tennis Team is working nonstop with back to back matches and daily practices. Make sure to stop by sometime this week to see the girls in action and show them some support as they wrap up their season.
