State High Girls’ Tennis added another successful match to their undefeated record on Wednesday, Sept 23. The team came out strong and defeated Mifflin County in all five matches they played. They are now 4-0 on the season and will continue to compete frequently.

Senior captain Sruthi Ramesh is very excited about the accomplishments that her team has made so far this season. 

“We have a really solid team this year and I’m excited for the rest of our season,” Ramesh said.

Although the season has been extremely successful so far, the girls’ tennis team has had to adapt to the difficult changes COVID-19 has brought upon them. 

“We started the season much later than usual, and we have a shorter season playing against fewer teams,” Ramesh said. 

The team has also had to take precautions at practices and competitions to ensure every individual’s safety. These precautions consist of mask-wearing at all times, sanitizing hands and equipment, and not sharing equipment with other teams.

While these precautions are absolutely necessary, some things have allowed this sudden change to be easier for the team.

“Tennis is more of an individual sport [unlike a contact sport] and is outside,” sophomore Kelly Steel said. 

Because of the simple adjustment to the COVID precautions, players are able to be more distanced from each other easily and can ensure the safety of those around them.

Steel, along with her teammate and junior captain Marissa Xu noted that COVID has also affected another important aspect of the team’s season: away matches. 

“[COVID has] also affected our away matches, which means fewer people are allowed to travel this year,” Steel said.

Xu shares that the girl’s tennis team was concerned about traveling to away matches at first. However, “After having gone to an away match myself, the bus isn’t as concerning anymore since we all social distance with masks on a Fullington,” Xu said.

Along with this and the fewer matches being played, the team’s season will be cut short this year.

While the future of this team’s season is unpredictable, it is clear that the girls’ tennis team will take any opportunity they have to make it a successful and safe season. 

“We believe that the safety of the team, coaches, families, and the community is the most important thing,” Ramesh said. 

With all of the precautions put in place, the girls’ tennis team is confident in their ability to keep every individual safe as they continue competing.