The girls tennis team is lacing up their shoes, restringing their rackets and practicing long hours in the heat as they prepare to battle against schools from all over the Bay Area in the Paly Invitational.

The tournament will be played at the Paly courts on Sept. 19 and Sept. 20. Teams from all over the Bay Area will compete against one another in two days of intense competiton. Paly will face a slew of opponents, including Aragon High School, Stevenson School and long time rival Castilleja High School.
Team captain, senior Halle Biorn is very confident about her team’s chances in the upcoming invitational.

“I’m hoping for first and we definitely have a good shot at it but it will be tough,” Biorn said. “We’re expecting a lot of really good teams to be participating in the invitational tournament this year so every match should be close.”

Despite losing five seniors, as well as moving up a division, this year’s team is confident about their prospects for the invitational, and are excited for the rest of the season.

Junior Meredith Cummings is especially optimistic about Paly’s prospects in the upcoming season as she expects to go far with her team.
“I feel really excited because our team is full of potential,” Cummings said. “It is going to be tough, and there is tough competition but our passion for tennis will lead us to victory, and I can’t wait for the road ahead of us.”

The preseason has not gone as hoped thus far, as the Vikings have already lost to Sacred Heart Prepatory, 5-2, on Sept. 8, however, they have yet to play in any league matches. Their hard work paid off shortly after, however, when they triumphed against Milpitas High School by a nearly perfect score of 7-1.

Recently, the Lady Vikes fell to Saratoga High School 1-7, with only doubles partners Christina Le and Riya Matta winning their pro-set for Paly 8-5.

Following the loss, Cummings expressed her desire for Paly fans to attend tennis matches as much as more popular sports.

“I feel like people don’t care about girls tennis, and there is little to no support from our peers,” Cummings said. “I wish people would just come out and see how talented people are on my team. We work so hard, and and it would be awesome to have some recognition.”