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Easy breezy: these words aptly describe the girls’ tennis team’s road to the championship.
Entering the playoffs, the Cardinals were ranked number one in the
league, earning them the right to play fourth-ranked Washington, a team
Lowell had previously manhandled on Oct. 4, 7-0.
On Oct. 24, the two teams met again in an underrated Battle of the
Birds playoff match. Almost effortlessly, the Cardinals made quick work
of the battered Eagles, again 7-0, a victory that sent them to the
championship with a foreshadowed outcome.
Two days later, Lowell played Wallenberg, the only team to give them trouble in the regular season, when the Cardinals won by a dangerously tight score, 3-2. They made sure not to allow history to repeat itself, muzzling the confident Bulldogs and winning 6-1.
Can the Cardinals repeat such a dominating season next year? Absolutely. Few crucial players will be graduating: Freshman phenom Karen Etin, sophomores Julia Kotzian, Sally Ness and Maria Klionsky and stellar junior Yana Nebuchina will definitely raise the bar. The team will also add new talent from the JV squad.
Though Lowell is losing the leadership and talent of seniors Aja Estares and Minnie Wong, Nebuchina and fellow players can without a doubt step up to the plate to compensate for the loss. Get used to the tennis championship trophy resting in the main hallway.
Most Valuable Player
The Lowell’s choice for most valuable player is freshman sensation Karen Etin. Etin never lost a regular season match and played as the number one-ranked single player for a majority of the team’s matches.
Etin brings intensity and a strong work ethic to the team, that inspiring others to work hard. “When I watch Karen playing hard and giving it her all, it makes me raise my intensity,” sophomore JV player Brandee Ma said.
Perhaps one of the best players in the city, Etin still has three years to mature at Lowell. “I just try to do my job for the team,” Etin humbly said. If Etin’s job is bringing a championship to Lowell, then the tennis team should keep her employed. Her talent and commitment to tennis make her deserving of the MVP honor.
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