Pierson Middle/High School

By Casey Finelli

They say first impressions are important for everything in life, and the Pierson Girls Varsity Tennis team gave us a great one this season. After having a JV Girls Tennis team last year, the Whalers decided it was time to upgrade. With the help of Coach Keegan Blaney, Pierson made the playoffs in its inaugural season as a varsity sport, which to Blaney was “just a testament to how well the team played and their tennis ability and skill.” The roster includes young and experienced players, spearheaded by sophomore Molly Wolfson. 

Wolfson achieved all-county honors this season and placed third in the singles tournament for Division Four. “It’s a huge accomplishment, and it’s great because Molly is only in 10th grade,” Blaney said. “We’re looking forward to the upcoming years and seeing how much she’s going to improve in 11th and 12th grade.” 

The roster is a compilation of players that balance youth with experience. Seniors on the team include Allison Cottrell, Ilana Lerner, Samantha Robinson, and Chloe Tanner. Juniors Lauren Batista Silva and Lia Mizrahi will be around for their playoff push next season. The sophomore crop proves to be dangerous on the court, with Madilyn Donahue, Antonia Vogel, Addison Wayne, and Molly Wolfson leading the march to the playoffs. Freshman Eva Dagdeviren and Marjorie Hansen, along with 8th grader Jade Glick, round out the promising group of students. 

With an abundance of young, motivated players, Coach Blaney and the Girls Varsity Tennis team have nowhere to go but up, despite earning a playoff bid in their first year as a varsity sport. Their season may be over, but their success is just beginning.