NHS girls tennis starts season against Kent Denver

On Thursday, March 13, the Niwot High School girls tennis team suffered a difficult loss in their second game of the season against perennial powerhouse Kent Denver High School.

Despite a determined effort from the entire team, Niwot fell 6-1. However, the players remain optimistic, viewing this match as a learning experience that will help them improve for the rest of the season.

Samantha Zacky, a senior and four-year varsity player at Niwot, reflected on the challenges of competitive tennis and the mental resilience it requires. "It's really easy to get in your own head, and the best we can do is leave it all on the court, which is something I always want to do," she said. Despite the defeat, the games were each hard fought, and she witnessed many close matches and well-played rallies.

Zacky, who plays 1 Doubles with her partner Anne Halle, explained that tennis is as much a strategic game as it is a physical one. In the game against Kent Denver, her strategy was to be "adaptable and adjust based on what my opponents were doing," she said. While the outcome wasn't in her favor, she believes the experience was valuable and will help the team sharpen both their physical skills and mental confidence moving forward.

Junior Sahasra Kolli at 1 Singles, who represented the lone Niwot victory at Thursday's game, worked hard to secure the win. The match went to a tie breaker after split sets before Kolli won.

Other matches were equally intense, featuring close points and impressive rallies. Zacky, who watched the 2 Doubles pairing of Hannah Nelson and Jordan Rutkowski after finishing her own match, said, "It was really evident that they were leaving it all on the court, which led to some awesome saves and fast-paced points." Other matches on Thursday included Emory Rich and Eliana Spiridellis at 3 Doubles, Amy Calderon and Isabelle DiCorleto at 4 Doubles, and Masha Oshmyan at 2 Singles.

The team is now focusing on improving for their upcoming matches. Practices will emphasize not only refining technique but also building confidence and mental endurance. Looking ahead to the next match, Zacky expressed optimism, saying, "With that [fighting] spirit and energy at the core of the team, nothing can hold us back."

Niwot will return to the courts after spring break on March 27 at home against Legacy High School.