Play like a girl: Varsity girls golf, varsity girls tennis remain undefeated

Photographed by Lucy Cao
Hetty Bai, senior, competes against a Ladue player in a varsity tennis game.

The varsity girls tennis and golf teams have each started the season in perfecT fashion, winning every single match to date.

Girls tennis lost to Lafayette 4-5 in Conference last year, but succeeded in beating Lafayette 6-3 this year.
The team also won the Parkway Central Regional Tournament and has remained undefeated all season.

Hetty Bai, senior, said that one of the greatest reasons for her team’s success is the bonds they have built over the past couple of years.

“Varsity is the same lineup as last year,” Bai said. “There’s no new players so we’re all pretty close and we play well.”

Bai also noted that lots of practice and preparation has helped the team defeat every opponent they faced this year.

“We play in the off season,” Bai said. “A lot of us do Youth tennis Association which helps.”

Matt DelPizzo, varsity girls tennis head coach, also cited the team’s offseason work and camaraderie as a part of the success, but said the team still has areas in need of improvement.

“They’re not as intense on some of the balls as they need to be and that’s going to hurt us if we go into districts against a team like Lafayette,” DelPizzo said.

Despite these challenges, DelPizzo said the team is looking forward to continuing their successful season and accomplishing their goals.

Eric Schweain, varsity girls golf coach, said the success at the start of the season also has not come as a surprise to the golf team as they prepared all summer.

“Our greatest strength is our leadership,” Schweain said. “We hope to play our best golf as the postseason approaches.”

Allison Licavoli, junior, pointed out another key to the team’s success.

“Our team is very consistent which gives us a great advantage,” Licavoli said.

Licavoli added that the proper mentality is important for preparing for tournaments.

“We went in with a positive attitude and hoped for the best,” Licavoli said. “We are very proud of ourselves.”