Hawks girl’s tennis coach Jessica Worden is especially excited about this year’s team.
Judging by team’s opening-match performance against non-conference Simley on Friday, she should be.
“We’re just shy of 30 girls out for the team, including nine seniors and 11 new girls in grades 7-12,” said Worden. “Our returning senior captains -- Haily Landrigan, Emily Gustafson and Andie Swanson, all singles players -- are great leaders. With the improvement all of our players have made over the summer, I think we’ll make a strong run for a Lake Superior Conference championship this season.”
Worden on her captains:
“Haily’s game style is so unique because she can move the ball around the ease and has the mental stamina to long matches.
Emily is a fighter from the time she steps on the court. No one will outhustle her. Her competitive spirit is impressive. Andie has great skills and is strong in both singles and doubles. I’m excited to see what great value she can continue to bring to the team in all positions.”
Seniors Nya Sieger and Natalie Berg are also a force at No. 1 doubles.
“Nya and Natalie played No. 3 doubles in their first year playing tennis last fall, when they had at least one win against all the conference teams except Grand Rapids, and I’m excited to see how they do the rest of the season” Worden said.
The Hawks will practice and play all their home matches at Laura MacArthur Elementary courts in Duluth until renovations at their home courts are completed, hopefully by sometime still this fall.
2022 Roster
Seniors: Haily Landrigan, Reese Heitzman, Andie Swanson, Ella Karki, Emily Gustafson, Natalie Berg, Nya Sieger, Ava Anick, Isabel Illuminati
Juniors: Morgan LeValley, Izy Fairchild, Hanna Graves, Kalea Homich
Sophomores: Campbell Amundson, Lucy Grzbowski, Brooklyn Schmitz
Freshmen: Evie Sullivan, McKenna Dorn, Peighton Paulson, Rylee Kalkbrenner,
8th Graders: Alee DeVlieger, Amelia Young, Megan Gustavsson, Chloe Gustafson, Nora Wourms
7th Grader: Lyla Benney