Team unity, ample off-season work, and a comfortable tone set by coach Kim Uhlik and the teammates aided the women’s tennis team in achieving a 15-1 record, according to fourth year varsity singles player and team co-captain, senior Laine Sommers.

“We got along really well compared to past years. We did a lot of team building activities like the traditional sleepover and ‘t.p.’ night; all 23 girls came over my house and we toilet papered our coach’s house. Also, going to the Olive Garden before our banquet and spending entire days together during tournaments really helped us stick together and get used to each other’s quirkiness,” Sommers said.

Nicknames like “T-bomb,” “Lainers,” “Neicers,” “Morg,” and “Patty Mayonnaise” are tidbits of what really makes up the team. Along with their competitive nature, each of the girls brings her own charm to the group. They range from the goof to the team cheerleader, but no matter how different they are, it is obvious that when they come together as one they are a very powerful machine.

The team made RHS history this year with the defeat of a major opponent that Roosevelt has not been able to beat prior to this year.

“We beat [Cuyahoga] Falls for the first time ever! They were tough, but we were tougher,” co-captain Morgan Beal said.

Despite the many victories, the team has had its challenges.

“Kenston and [Cuyahoga] Falls were kind of difficult to beat, but we handled them. Hudson was our only loss; it wasn’t too bad though. This has been our best season yet,” third singles player, sophomore Sarah Teitelbaum said.

Beal, the team ‘cheerleader,’ had a good summary of what their season was like.

“We set a lot of goals and accomplished more than we could imagine. It was a great season for all of us,” she said.



PLAYER PROFILE: LAINE SOMMERS

With a WRC record of 5-0 and an undefeated season overall, senior Laine Sommers has had quite a season.

“As a senior, I just wanted to do my best without putting too much pressure on myself,” Sommers said.

Something that most people may not know about Sommers is her love of competition.

“I’m very competitive on the inside; that’s what really drives me,” she added.

Sommers plays a role in other extracurricular activities as well. She is a member of the Leadership Retreat Planning Committee, Student Council, and the swim team. She was also one of the Homecoming chairpersons this year.

After high school, Sommers is considering attending Quinnipiac College in Connecticut majoring in sports medicine.

“It’s one of the few schools that have a thorough sports medicine, athletic training, and physical therapy program. This is one of the main things that draw me to it,” Sommers said.

When asked to choose a single person to play a match against, Sommers quickly named Andre Agassi.

“He is amazing. I would love to play opposite him,” she said.

A couple of Sommers’ other fancies include bananas and the color red. She also said that hearing co-captain Sarah Durkalski’s laugh is contagious.

On a more serious note, Sommers emphasized her parents’ large role in her success.

“They never expected me to be the best, but they supported me all the way,” she said. “They reinforced my belief in myself and also helped me realize that everyone has a weakness and everyone is beatable.”