GIRLS TENNIS TRIUMPHS AFTER YEARS OF STRUGGLING

By ALYSSA JIN 

After years of struggle, the Wizard's varsity tennis team is finally reaching success. Tennis in Washingtonville throughout the years has typically not been known to stir up much talk; however,  this season, the girls tennis team is looking to change that, and they’re doing a pretty good job so far. The Wizards’ record this season is 7-3, which is the best record that Wizards tennis has had in several years. Recently, the girls have beaten their long time tough opponent, Valley Central, making a statement to the rest of the league. 

PHOTO BY JACKIE LAIRD

There are a lot of players contributing to the success of this team, and the abundance of young players provides hope for the future of Wizards tennis. Senior Colleen Garwood, who has been on the team since her freshman year, stated, “The youth of the team adds to our drive to win… looking towards being ranked second in the league, I am amazed at how much we’ve all grown.” One player in particular, eighth grader Jalynn Balleste, is a force to be reckoned with on this Wizard team. Although only 12 years old, Balleste has been close to unstoppable, beating out players who are four or five years older than she. Balleste, along with first doubles team, Alyssa Jin and Colleen Garwood, and second doubles team, Samantha Phillips and Alexa Muratore, have all qualified for the county tournament coming up this Thursday. Washingtonville tennis has never sent this many players to the county tournament in the past. This will be each of the player’s second time at counties, where Balleste finished fourth overall last fall. Alejandra Rivera, a senior on the team told me, “In the past years, Washingtonville has only been represented at the county tournament by the one wild card spot, so to have so many girls now qualifying for their spots is such a boost.” 

The Wizard's final match will be today against Valley Central. If the team  wins this match, the Wizard’s tennis team will finish their season in second place overall for their division. Not bad for a team who once went 0-13 for their season years back.