Last Wednesday, boys? and girls? tennis battled McLean High School for the second time this season, beginning the second round of district matches; the boys lost 1-8, losing number one doubles in a close tiebreaker, and the girls lost 0-9. Both teams played Stone Bridge High School on Friday and Fairfax High School yesterday, but results were not available as of press time.
Both teams are comprised primarily of underclassmen this season, many of whom are new to the concept of team matches, as tennis is usually played individually. Freshman Adam Ghazzawi, who plays number one singles and doubles for the boys? team, found his first several matches “nerve-wracking”, but has since adapted to the challenge.
“[Playing number one] as a freshman is tough because I almost always play juniors or seniors who have more experience in high school tennis than me, but I definitely keep matches close and go out feeling confident every time,” he said.
As one of the top two players on the boys? team, Ghazzawi will also participate in the individual district tournament, which begins on May 10.
“The tournament will be tough for me and the competition is strong, especially against [Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology] and Madison [High School],” Ghazzawi said, “but I will definitely go in looking to win.
Sophomore Patricia Garvey also identifies Jefferson, as well as McLean and Langley High School, as the girls? biggest competition. Last season, the girls placed first in the Liberty District and second in the Northern Virginia Region, behind Jefferson. According to Garvey, Jefferson, McLean and Langley are currently tied for first in the district, while the girls? team is in second.
“I feel that we have nothing to lose,” junior Katie MacDowell, a co-captain, said. “My goal for the team is to finish with more wins than losses.”
Both teams face Jefferson tomorrow afternoon, with the boys playing at home and the girls away. Players are prepared for this strong opposition.
“It?s tough playing against bigger schools,” Ghazzawi said. “But I feel like we put up a fight in every single match.”