Tears fell, hugs were given, and goodbyes were said Monday night on October 7th, 2024. This night was senior night for the Ladycats tennis team. The tennis team had six seniors this year. Clara Basden, Sarinah Lewis, Lexy Rehkop, Haley Tucker, Becca Bell, and Ella Clauser.
Senior night kicked off with a match against Charleston. Overall, the Ladycats defeated Charleston. Haley Tucker won 8-4 in singles. Becca Bell won 8-1 in singles. Ella Clauser won 8-6 in singles. Nina Lewis and Haley won doubles 8-2.
After doubles and singles were finished, the tennis team gathered on the court with the families of each senior. Every parent, grandparent, and sibling lined up to present the girls with gifts. Each senior received a yellow drawstring bag with their name on it, flowers, and goodies inside the bag. The underclassmen and juniors presented these gifts to the girls while they shared how much they would miss each senior. Laney Walker said to Ella Clauser, “I admire how you were always helping us.” Maddy Saffell said to Haley Tucker, “You always have a smile on your face and it’s very contagious. I’m going to miss you.”
After gifts were handed out, it was time to enjoy the pot luck dinner. The idea of the pot luck dinner was for every player to bring some kind of food for everyone to enjoy. Each dish brought was spread across a table and each girl lined up to grab a plate. The girls all sat on the court to enjoy their plates of food and then all the family members got in line to grab a plate as well. Sitting in a circle, the girls reminisced on all the times they enjoyed this last season.
A few of the seniors had favorite tennis memories to share. Nina Lewis stated,” My favorite memory is Haley saying “that was God” when she got a lucky shot. Or playing games and singing karaoke with Angie on the bus.”
Clara Basden claimed her favorite memory was getting to play with everyone at practice. She also stated,” Playing in doubles with Lucy Pham and Emily Geen was really fun too.”
Saying goodbye to six extraordinary seniors was really a challenge for this team. A good number of new players joined the tennis team this fall, and bonds were quickly formed. Saying the team will miss the seniors would truly be an understatement. Each senior excelled this season and really left a mark in Ladycat tennis history. One could say it’s an end of an era.
A side story for Clara Basden: Clara was one of the six seniors on the Ladycat tennis team this year. However, the beginning of Claras senior season took a turn. The second day tennis practice was held, Clara injured herself. What was hoped and prayed to be a short term injury, turned into a torn ACL. She would be out for the rest of the season. Clara is an amazing tennis player. Just last season she was ranked 3rd on varsity. So as one can imagine, the news of her injury was severely disappointing to many. However Clara still saw an opportunity to be apart of the team. Clara took it upon herself to help coach this amazing team. Between the new JV players and even returning players, Clara had her hands full. While helping coach, Clara herself and others made many memorable moments. Clara even made the MAAA all-conference girls tennis team this year, chosen by the coaches in the Ladycat’s conference. Clara’s amazing strength and willingness had been inspiring to many others and will continue to not go unnoticed.
