For the captains of the girls varsity tennis team, spring is an exciting time of year. Although all captains have different paths, they are some of the best and most committed tennis players in the school. 

Captains this season include three-year varsity tennis player Libby Moog, second-year player junior Brooke Kushak, and senior Leila Gonzalez. 

For Libby, her senior year is a bounce-back opportunity. After one of her years was taken away due to COVID, she suffered a concussion that ended up sidelining her for most of the season last year. Having to watch her team struggle to compete last year has motivated her to prepare and stay healthy for this season. Not having a true season since her freshman year, Libby looks forward to having a normal season for the first time in three years. 

“I am excited to get back on the courts for FHC,” Libby said. “I have played a lot of tennis in the last few months preparing for this season, and I am confident and ready.”

The other senior captain, Leila Gonzalez, has had a somewhat different playing career compared to Libby. Leila hasn’t played tennis her whole life but has been consistent in play since her freshman year. Making JV in her freshman year, she developed into a varsity-level player. After the COVID season, she came out and played four doubles. As a player who has developed her game over a short period of time, Leila is a great player to look at as an underclassman who needs some tips on how to improve her game. 

“I am excited to be a captain this season,” Leila said. “It gives me a sense of pride knowing that I am a good teammate and player and knowing I can help people improve their game.” 

As the youngest captain on the team this year, Brooke Kushak will learn what it means to be a captain and be ready to be even more of a leader next season. After playing one doubles in her first year on varsity, Brooke will return to that spot, looking for a different outcome ending the season. With a new doubles partner this season, Brooke will need to build chemistry with her teammates in order to succeed when it comes to late-season tournaments. 

This year more than ever, the captains of the girls varsity tennis team will have very important roles in helping develop the younger and more inexperienced players. With nine underclassmen on the roster, the captains will be huge parts of the development and coaching of the younger girls. 

“We are excited to have a lot of young talent this year,” Brooke stated. “They have a lot of skill, and they will surely help the team’s success.”