The girls tennis team is beginning preparations as the spring sports season approaches. It can be a challenge to practice for an outdoor sport over the winter, but this has not stopped senior Brigid McLarty. McLarty has been playing tennis since sixth grade at Northview Middle School. She is also one of the three team captains of the 2022 season.

“Going to weights every Monday and Thursday . . . conditioning before weights on Mondays where we do cardio,” are some of the workouts McLarty and her teammates have been doing to get in good shape.

Being a team captain creates more responsibility for McLarty.

“We are responsible for making sure there are no problems with the team, everyone is at practice, we plan team bonding events, and organize our big and little sisters. We also have other stuff like picking what uniforms we are going to wear,” said McLarty.

The girls tennis team has a longstanding tradition of big and little “sisters.”

“It is usually one upperclassman with either one or two underclassmen depending on how many people are in each grade. You go to each other’s matches, you try to support each other, you text and make sure everyone is able to manage school work and season. We also get gifts for each other before every match, whether it be candy, Gatorade, or something bigger like last year I passed down old tennis shirts to some of my sisters, so it’s just a way to get to know some of the people on the team even better,” said McLarty.

McLarty has goals for herself and the team as a whole this season.

“To get to know everyone on the team really well, and make sure that we’re all close like a family and that we all are able to adjust to the changes this year. We also want to beat Cathedral,” said McLarty.

Reaching these goals will require action from the entire team.

“Have some pasta parties, and have whole team exercises or practices where we all connect. In order to beat Cathedral we are going to have to practice really hard, and play a lot,” said McLarty.

The girls tennis team values a tight bond between the team and puts the work in to achieve it. 

“We have all away matches, and we have to drive 15 minutes to practice at Carmel Middle School. We are going to have carpools because there are no buses, so the team will be smaller,” said McLarty.

 The NC tennis courts will be under construction for the next year, causing some disruption for the team.

“We are the best team ever and you should come to all of our matches and follow @ncweat.2022 on Instagram, we have the funniest page of any team,” McLarty said.