The John Carroll tennis team finished the regular season undefeated and in the championships as runners up.

John Carroll was ranked number one in the “B” conference. The tennis team played and won each of their eight matches this season.

Last season, John Carroll was ranked fifth in the conference and had a losing record. The team played five matches, only winning two.

This season, John Carroll hired two new coaches, Kaitlyn Loftus as the new girls head coach and Alexander Matsinye as the new assistant coach.

Coach Loftus and Coach Matsinye have worked to build a great environment and a successful team.

Coach Loftus brings a wealth of tennis experience to the John Carroll team. She has been playing tennis since she was three-years-old and coaching since she was 14.

Coach Loftus played Division I tennis at Loyola University and still holds the school record for most singles wins in a season.

In regards to her first-year coaching at JC, Coach Loftus said, “I’ve had a blast coaching the girls this year. The girls work hard, listen well, and get along great, so it’s been very easy to work with them.”

The team has been very successful during Coach Loftus’ first year at JC. She said, “The team runs very deep. It’s not the same people winning over and over. Lots of people have contributed to our success, so not anyone in particular ever feels too much pressure. I believe the main contribution to our success has been that the girls want to win. Tennis is very much a mental game, and the want to win is huge.”

Freshman Daisy Everett and sophomore Mia Romano both started playing tennis this year, and have similar views on the season.

Daisy credits the team’s successful season to the coaches and the community that they have built. Daisy said, “Coach Kaitlyn is very good at her job and knows what she is doing.”

Mia said, “The new coaching staff has brought a positive vibe and taken a lot of time with each individual player in order to improve their playing.” She believes that the team has been so successful because of the hard work and commitment of the players and coaches.

The championships took place on October 19 through the 21. This was an individual tournament against all the other schools in the conference.

Coach Loftus said, “The girls were ready to show the league that they have earned the top ranking.”

Freshman Sam Cullison and junior Allison Coyne won first place in the doubles three ranking, and senior Sydney Harrison won second place for singles two. The team took second places in the tournament overall, losing to The Park School.

Looking ahead at next season, players and coaches are hoping to match this season’s success and build on it.

Coach Loftus said, “Next season, I plan on kicking up the fitness part of tennis. I’m hoping to help make the girls have stronger serves and more strategic shots.”