![“[Building nerf blasters] became this outlet of creativity for me that hasn't been matched by anything else. The process [of] making a build complete to your desire is such a painstakingly difficult process, but I've had to learn from [the skills needed from] soldering to proper painting. There's so many different options for everything, if you think about it, it exists. The best part is [that] if it doesn't exist, you can build it yourself," Ishaan Parate said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/DSC_8149-900x604.jpg)
![“When I came into high school, I was ready to be a follower. But DECA was a game changer for me. It helped me overcome my fear of public speaking, and it's played such a major role in who I've become today. To be able to successfully lead a chapter of 150 students, an officer team and be one of the upperclassmen I once really admired is something I'm [really] proud of,” Anvitha Tummala ('21) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Screen-Shot-2021-07-25-at-9.50.05-AM-900x594.png)
![“I think getting up in the morning and having a sense of purpose [is exciting]. I think without a certain amount of drive, life is kind of obsolete and mundane, and I think having that every single day is what makes each day unique and kind of makes life exciting,” Neymika Jain (12) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Screen-Shot-2017-06-03-at-4.54.16-PM.png)
![“My slogan is ‘slow feet, don’t eat, and I’m hungry.’ You need to run fast to get where you are–you aren't going to get those championships if you aren't fast,” Angel Cervantes (12) said. “I want to do well in school on my tests and in track and win championships for my team. I live by that, [and] I can do that anywhere: in the classroom or on the field.”](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/DSC5146-900x601.jpg)
![“[Volleyball has] taught me how to fall correctly, and another thing it taught is that you don’t have to be the best at something to be good at it. If you just hit the ball in a smart way, then it still scores points and you’re good at it. You could be a background player and still make a much bigger impact on the team than you would think,” Anya Gert (’20) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/AnnaGert_JinTuan_HoHPhotoEdited-600x900.jpeg)
![“I'm not nearly there yet, but [my confidence has] definitely been getting better since I was pretty shy and timid coming into Harker my freshman year. I know that there's a lot of people that are really confident in what they do, and I really admire them. Everyone's so driven and that has really pushed me to kind of try to find my own place in high school and be more confident,” Alyssa Huang (’20) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/AlyssaHuang_EmilyChen_HoHPhoto-900x749.jpeg)
Varsity girls tennis team looks to repeat historic wins
Anushka Mehrotra (12) and Medini Halepete (11) fist bump each other after finishing practice sets during tennis practice. Following the girls’ tennis team’s Northern California Section I championships last year, the team faces lofty expectations for the coming season.
Following their success last year, where they won not only California Central Coast Section league but also the Northern California Section I championships, the upper school Girls Varsity Tennis team faces lofty expectations to defend their titles this season.
“Last year was a historic year, and we do have a bullseye on our backs as defending champions,” head coach JP Fruttero said. “This year the idea is if we can build from our upperclassmen; they have a good idea of what it’s going to take.”
The team kicks off their 2022-23 season next Tuesday against Sacred Heart at the Blackford tennis courts.
With a strong roster of 16 players total, eight of whom are freshmen, team captain Anushka Mehrotra (12) embraces the challenge of guiding a team of mostly “new blood,” as well as fulfilling her team captain role. Amid numerous roster changes, Anushka often finds herself helping out the underclassmen and keeping up positivity and discipline during practices and games.
“[With] the freshmen, a lot of them come to me for advice or text me about their classes, which is nice because you usually only see them at tennis,” Anushka said. “[The coaches and I] talk to the [team] a lot about taking every practice 100%, since it’s easy to slack off when it gets too hot or [there’s] too much work.”
Despite the challenges of a shuffled team dynamic, Anushka enjoys the comradery school sports provide, marking it as one of her motivations to push through training while balancing school and sports.
“In match situations, it’s pretty intense bonding with [your teammates], and cheering each other on is nice because you’re playing for more than yourself. Tennis is individual, but [school] makes it more like a team,” she said.
Medini Halepete (11) also pointed to the bonding aspect of the team as one of the highlights of her time so far with Harker tennis. She described the experience of joining the team immediately after the pandemic, and how her teammates helped her adjust.
“Coming [to the team] as a freshman, especially right after online school, was really nerve-racking, but [Anushka] and a bunch of other upperclassmen made me feel comfortable and at-home,” she said.
Team member Jessica Wang (10) sets team bonding as one of her personal goals for this season.
“This upcoming season, I hope to bond more with my teammates,” she said. “I feel last year I was new to the team and didn’t get terribly close to anyone, but I want to become closer friends with everyone around me.”
One of the newcomers to the team, Brenna Ren (9), commented on how it feels joining a team with a history of success.
“We’ll do the best we can,” Brenna said. “Like last year, hopefully, we win, but if not, I think it’s the experience as we go along that’s really valuable.”
Coach John Fruttero echoed Brenna’s sentiment, acknowledging the challenges of cultivating a young team but also recognizing their potential.
“Expectations are high, and [we have] lofty goals,” he said. “I’m okay shooting for the moon.”
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