Coming into their match against Chanhassen Sept. 22, the girls’ tennis team was looking for redemption after losing to them a few weeks prior. According to coach Abby Rose, while the team did improve vastly since that match, they still came up short.

“We lost (6-1) last time we played Chanhassen so it definitely was closer,” Rose said. “It was a few weeks ago, so we’ve had time to improve. The girls showed up and did a really great job and played hard, and some of the people that lost last time won today, so there’s still growth.”

According to junior Ava Jacobson, Park had been working to improve in practices and that benefited the team during the match.

“As a team, we’ve grown so much. We’ve practiced so many things, and we’re putting it towards this match, and I think it’s really paid off,” Jacobson said.

Senior captain Abby Meyer said she felt ready for the match individually, but the doubles game threw her off.

“I was pretty prepared coming into (the match); I think I was hitting really well,” Meyer said. “I just don’t think I was prepared for the doubles, adding a person and then getting frustrated when we miss points.”

According to Jacobson, who won her individual competition, she came into the match with a lot of confidence and used it as a way to refine her skills. 

“I went into my match thinking I’d probably win, and so I used it as a way to better myself and practice a little more with certain things, and I think it went pretty well,” Jacobson said.

Rose said the team has to work more on their mental game and improving their mindsets throughout the match.

“Tennis is (a) big-time mental game, and I think it’s hard once you shut down a little to make that comeback,” Rose said.

Jacobson said the team also needs to work on supporting and cheering each other on, which was something they were lacking during the match.

“We were really quiet this match, which is pretty sad and doesn’t really feel very good. Sometimes you need that little boost, and without the cheering, you don’t get that,” Jacobson said. 

The team will have a chance to improve on these aspects at their next match which takes place at 5 p.m. Sept. 29 against Bloomington Kennedy at Saint Louis Park High School.