The Varsity Tennis team honored its six seniors at Senior Day last week, following the Tigers' win over Moorestown Friends School which clinched a spot in the Friends Schools League playoffs. 

The seniors include: Shaine Greenwald, Riley Helfrich, Cece Idinopulos, Alice Mather, Mira Ratnakar, as well as manager Jackson Zuercher, also a member of the Varsity Boys Tennis team in the spring. 

Varsity Coach Chris Booth praised the seniors for leading a team that "demonstrated a will to win. We've won matches that people said we wouldn't and through it all, we've made it to the semis and I think we're going to do fine. These seniors have been a big part of that." 

Following the big win, the seniors were surrounded by their teammates. Underclasswomen thanked them for making practices fun and "being the best captains ever". The time honored tradition of crowning the seniors and sharing posters and memories followed. Photos and a tailgate with friends and family completed the evening. 

The 2022 season has been a story of resilience. Key athletes including the #1 and #2 singles, and doubles players, graduated after a stellar 2021 season including capturing the Friends Schools League Championship. This season, following a run of injuries that sidelined starters, the team has persevered and earned the #4 seed in the FSL tournament, beginning today. The Tigers will face #1 Friends Central School, on the road. The winner will advance to the Championship on Friday.

Driving the Tigers will be the captains who Coach Chris noted "have really shown leadership and have made this season, with all the changes, one worth watching."

“I appreciate that through all the ups and downs during these seniors' tennis careers, they have seen it through ‘til the end. In 2020 -- a season with no matches due to COVID, they showed up every day to play tennis and be together and that led them to last year's championship season. And this season, they've clawed their way into playoffs," said Director of Athletics Katie Bergstrom Mark. "It’s been really fun to watch this senior class preserve. Riley and Cece are one of the best doubles teams of GFS all time. Shaine and Mira have been so impressive coming up big under pressure, two matches in a row, for the Tigers. Alice has been a consummate team leader for this team. As Coach Chris mentioned at senior day, Jackson’s contributions have been so valuable. We did not have an assistant coach this year and Jackson stepped into that role to help the team, adding support, positive energy and wisdom.”

VIEW THE VARSITY TENNIS GALLERY. 

photo ID top to bottom, left to right: Riley and Cece, Mira and Shaine, Alice, Jackson