The 2017 Girls’ fall tennis season has been undeniably successful. Although the girls tennis team does not have an undefeated record, they have played their hearts out at every match and practiced hard on and off the courts. The 2017 Girls’ fall tennis season has been undeniably successful. Although the girls tennis team does not have an undefeated record, they have played their hearts out at every match and practiced hard on and off the courts.

The three captains this year include seniors, Tess Olszewski and Amanda Ward, and junior Evalina Macejka.  All of these young ladies are smart, responsible, and kind-hearted leaders who have made the team closer than it ever has been before. A special shoutout to seniors Tess Olszewski, Amanda Ward, Emily Rowan, and Krystal Talamini for their continued success as they complete their high school careers and step out into the world.

It is a big year for the tennis coaches as well. The previous varsity coach, Mr. Montgomery, or as the team knows him, Utah, recently moved, giving a coach the chance to really shine. Many of you know the coach as Miss Kreutzer, an English teacher at Macopin, but she recently married and is now known as Coach Infante. Not only did Infante have a big year with starting a new chapter with her husband, but she was also moved up to head varsity coach!

Because Infante was promoted, the team was on the hunt for a new JV coach.  Infante’s close friend, Mrs. Grimshaw, formerly known as Miss D’Elio, a physical education teacher at Macopin, was up for the challenge! The team is grateful for its new coaches who put their all into every practice, drill, and game, and care so deeply for the girls they coach.

The Highland Echo sat down for a few questions with the coaches.

How would you describe the team and season as a whole?

Grimshaw: “So far, this season has been full of a lot of laughs and great memories, which I hope continue throughout the rest of the time we have together this year. This team is fun-loving, kind-hearted, and [is]an overall fantastic group of girls. I am so happy they have welcomed me into their tennis family!”

What are  your best and worst memories while coaching?

Infante: “My best memories come from [the girls on the team].  The memories of winning a tough match or seeing the girls win a game for the first time is an awesome feeling.  The team trips on the bus are tons of fun filled with laughter, pep talks, food, [and] singing. Each year I grow to love coaching more and more, and each year, [the] girls are the reason for that.  The worst have to be when girls are injured and cannot play.  It is heartbreaking for a coach to see a hardworking player not be able to compete and not put [her] hard work to use.”

What would you try to teach your players besides tennis?
Infante:

“We try everyday to teach respect and love for life.  We win with class, as well as lose with class.  In life, there are going to be challenges, but challenges make us stronger.  We try to show the girls that treating each other with respect and sometimes letting things go when needed will help make relationships stronger.  It’s not just about tennis and loving the sport, but it is about being a teammate and knowing you are a part of something bigger – a family.  Like all families, there are positive times, hard times, true times, that create lifelong relationships.  Being a teammate is being there for your teammates through injuries, struggles with life and school, and much more.”

How has coaching affected your life?

Grimshaw: “Coaching has taught me patience and understanding. Everything is not always going to go the way that you planned, but learning to how to adjust and stay positive is the key to success.”

What are your academic and behavioral expectations for your players both on and off the court?

Infante: “I expect all of our girls to possess leadership on the court and outside of the court in life.  They should act as respectful individuals in any situation, role models for those around them, and maintain high academic standing.  I do not expect every girl to be [an honors student, but], what I do expect, and tell them, is that they need to try.  If they can look into the mirror every day and say, ‘I put my all in and tried 110%,’ that is all that any of us can ask of them.”