The girls varsity tennis team defeated the Marple Newtown Tigers in a 7-0 match on Thursday, September 18 at Haven’s tennis courts.

They played under the fiercely beating sun for their last home match of the season, as the side of the fence fluttered with colorful senior posters.

The seniors honored for varsity girls tennis include Lila Martell, Minori Saito, Olivia Stransky, and Maisie Smith.

“It’s fun because I’ve seen the players for four years, but it’s also a little nostalgic and a little sad, because they’re moving on. But it is nice how the team recognizes their senior leadership, because this is all them,” coach Mr. Andy Perella said.

Freshman Lexi Glass won all twelve of her games, and is excited to play tennis at the highest level possible in the future.

“[Senior night has] more excitement, more anticipation, before recognizing all the seniors,” Glass said. 

Senior night is organized by the juniors on the team, which means the celebration afterwards — complete with pizza, brownies, and cupcakes — are all them.

The girls junior varsity tennis team, which played at Wallingford while the varsity team played at Haven, came to enjoy the celebration, as well as principal Mr. Andy Benzing and superintendent Mr. Russell Johnston.

“It’s kind of just hitting me right now that I’m a senior,” Saito said. “I was the only freshman girl on the tennis team to join and I’m just thinking about how long my journey has been on this team, and they’ve made me feel ever since I was a freshman to even now — this team is my home.”

To Saito, this team will be one of the most memorable parts of Haven.

“They’ve made me feel so welcome. They’ve made me feel so like a part of something much bigger at this school. And I’m just really grateful for my teammates,” Saito said.

The next match will be against Lower Merion at Lower Merion High School on September 25.