Cotter’s girls tennis team is showing dramatic improvement from last season and building on the core players that have been together for several years.

Blake Duden is in his 10th year as head coach of the girls varsity tennis. Last year’s overall record is 8 – 11. Though Mary Schwend graduated last year, Cotter still has a competitive tennis team this year.  The team’s record is 8-1 with their only team loss coming against the perennial nemesis Lourdes Eagles.

“This year has been off to a great start. We have a good number of strong players and our match results have definitely been reflecting that. However, what is most exciting is where this year could lead us. Our team does not only have talent, but also determination and a desire to get better. Each year is an opportunity to develop skill and technique, and this year, I believe our team is ready to take advantage of this opportunity and to see how far we can grow together as better players and better people,” a senior player said.

Ther are 12 players on in varsity team: Hannah Graff(8), McCarthy Leaf(9), Choco Li(10), Sarah Sun(10), Cindy Li (11), Kylie Modjeski(11), Elizabeth Duellman(12), Erin Getzin(12), Sammy Knight(12), Laura (Yoojin) Koo(12), Eileen(Hyesu) Shin(12),Erica(Kangjin) Young(12).

Kylie’s goal for this year is “to improve and have fun with the team”.

Junior varsity player Jimin (Wendy) Bae noted that the games, naturally, are more exciting than practices. “ Sometimes I feel so lazy when I go to practice, but I am so proud when I finish the games,” Bae said.

The JV tennis team at Cotter has been grown quickly this year, having had just a few girls last year, the team now has 11 girls.

They are working hard to improve their tennis skills, and are prepared for each match. Coach Duden states that these girls have improved a lot.  More importantly, the girls meet people with similar interests, acquire relationships and have fun. Their goal of this year is to continue working hard and keep increasing the number of girls on the team. .