Despite only being two matches into the season, the HHS girls tennis team is off to a promising start. With a 2-0 record so far, coach Larry Johnson is confident that his team’s capabilities will take them far as they continue to progress. Neither the coach nor his players expect this season to be a walk in the park– they rounded out last fall with a somewhat disappointing record of 4-10, and Johnson has mentioned that Hillsborough is part of one of New Jersey’s most intense tennis conferences. Nevertheless, Johnson won’t let his team go down without a fight, especially with several new additions that are sure to contribute to a successful season. 

But Johnson’s focus isn’t simply on maintaining a competitive edge. When asked what his goals and expectations for this season are, he replied that he wants his team to “have fun [and] bond as a team.” This is especially important now that three former seniors and members of the varsity tennis lineup, Hanna Kim, Cynthia Puleo, and Devon Klaproth, have graduated.

However, when one door closes, another one opens, and this certainly rings true in the case of the 2019 varsity tennis team. The departure of these girls left spots for two freshmen Nevita Bharth and Maithili Revankar to join the lineup. Even though the seniors left big shoes to fill as both positive leaders and talented athletes, Johnson is confident that Revankar and Bharth are ready to occupy this role. 

Revankar has attested to Johnson’s leadership on and off the court. She says he taught her how to clear her mind and stay calm during competitive matches, as well as work hard to achieve her dreams athletically and academically. For Revankar, playing varsity is a dream come true– the perfect opportunity to show off the whopping ten years of tennis skills. But getting to compete isn’t the only reason she’s so invested in the sport.

“The tennis team is like a family,” Revankar said. “We’re all really close, especially since we spend 6 days of the week together. I always look forward to tennis at the end of the day with the team.”

The girls next match is at Bridgewater-Raritan High School this Thursday. And while Johnson says that defeating their competitors will be “no easy feat,” the team is ready to face whatever their current rivals throw at them using the momentum from their so-far undefeated season.