The KO girls varsity tennis team has had a very strong season up to this point, boasting an 8-3 record with contributions from everybody on the ladder junior, but junior Lila Klinzmann has been a standout this season on the tennis court. Stepping into both a leadership role and a higher position on the ladder, she has performed well against solid competition.
“I really lean on my forehand in the tougher matches,” Klinzmann said. “It is something I work on a lot in my own time, and it has paid off this year.”
Since the start of the season, she has carved out a vital role for herself on the varsity tennis team. A team that has battled with injuries since week one sees Klinzmann competing in the top doubles spot and in the four spot for singles.
Against a solid Kent team on April 11, Klinzmann paired up with junior Co-captain Noor Sayej to dominate in straight sets. Along with that, Klinzmann combined a swift serve with tenacity at the net to win her singles match with ease.
On April 15, the Wyverns faced off against a strong Choate team, but for Klinzmann, it was just another job to get done. Combining with Sayej in doubles, the duo played strongly, hitting all the right shots and winning the long rallies. This led to another doubles victory. In singles, Klinzmann battled hard, competing on every single point, eventually winning the match 2-1, and the Wyverns went on to win 6-3.
In practice, Head Coach Ronald Garcia works the team very hard, ensuring that they are ready to compete on game day. Klinzmann is a player who has always enjoyed practice and the process of getting better. “In practice, we do a lot of point play because I believe I get better by playing as many matches as I can,” Klinzmann said. “Coach Garcia always pushes me to my limits even if I don’t think I can do it, but it always ends up having a great outcome.”
Coming up, the Wyverns will host the annual NEPSAC championships. A trophy that they fell just short of last year, as they lost a nail-biter in the final. “We are very excited for New Englands as we have put in a lot of hard work to get to this point, and I think we have a good chance to go far,” Klinzmann said.
