Girls tennis team triumphs over Menlo in momentous win

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Hima Thota

Charlize Wang (10) holds her racket in preparation for the ball. “I was pretty consistent with my backhands, and me and my partner Olivia kept our energy up no matter if we were down or up, and I think that really helped us win today,” Charlize said.

by Hima Thota, Asst. Sports Editor

Harker’s girls tennis team played Menlo High School a second time on Tuesday, ending the matches 6-1 with a sweeping victory. 

The girls’ team initially fell to Menlo, who are also CCS champions, during their match against them on Oct. 5, but the Eagles managed to take the win in the second round.

Players Emily Novikov (12), Rachel Hernandez (11), Audrey Feng (10) and Sara Wan (12) started off the matches playing singles. Doubles matches, held simultaneously, had three teams playing: Anika Akkiraju (9) and Pavith Khara (9); Anushka Mehrotra (12) and Medini Halepete (11); and Charlize Wang (10) and Olivia Guo (10). Despite the disappointing loss to Menlo earlier in the season, the Eagles started off strong and continued the momentum throughout their matches. 

“I think the spirit was overall better than when we [first] went to Menlo and played, and that definitely helped us,” Medini said.

Charlize, a doubles player, reflected on her victorious doubles game, citing the team energy as key. 

“I was pretty consistent with my backhands, and me and my partner Olivia kept our energy up no matter if we were down or up, and I think that really helped us win today,” Charlize said. 

Senior night, which took place Thursday evening, followed the match against Menlo. The brief ceremony honored three senior players: Emily, Anushka Mehrotra and Sara, with the non-senior players distributing decorated posters, tiaras and flowers. The team later played against Crystal Springs, sweeping another win by ending 6-0. 

“Coming up on senior night, I’m really excited because I know that our upperclassmen and us are working really hard to make it memorable for all our seniors,” Charlize said before the match. 

The game against Crystal Springs is their last match before their first round in CCS on Nov. 7.