As many New Yorkers sat inside enjoying the perks of air conditioning and the final weeks of summer, one could find the dedicated members of the Hackley Girls’ Varsity Tennis team practicing hard on the courts amidst the summer heat. With their intense preseason schedule, typically meeting three hours every day, and hard work ethic displayed during practice, the team hopes for a successful season ahead.

In order to best assure their success, the team spent “a lot of time [on] the tennis courts…working on our game by doing drills, some fitness, and lots of match play,” said Coach Sykes.

Even as the team strives to be at its best athletically, they have also been working hard to develop good chemistry between the players and establish a positive atmosphere. Coach Sykes added that, “While [the tennis team] obviously has goals of improving on the tennis court and competing for the league title, Hackley Girls’ Varsity Tennis [is] always stressing other goals such as teamwork, sportsmanship, and supporting one another in being the best teammates possible.” One of the team’s favorite bonding activities is an annual trip to the US Open.

As they have worked hard in both perfecting their tennis skills and building a strong sense of community amongst teammates, they look forward to an exciting season. “With the new team in place I believe we have an amazing season ahead of us,” added junior Cosima Boettner optimistically.