Monday night was an emotional one for Philip Simmons High’s girls tennis team – but in a good way.
The girls came together with their family members as part of the team’s end of season banquet. This get-together meant recognizing four senior teammates who are graduating at the end of the school year – a bittersweet time for the whole team – but the season is ending on a high note, especially considering team scoring its third region title this season and, more recently, the team’s second state win on Nov. 4.
The team is staffed by head coach Steven Cohen, along with assistant coaches Brian Whirret, Cole Donley and Anne-Magill Payne.
Seniors Ansley Cohen, Amelia Whirret, Reagan Donley and Cris Martinez-Valdez led the team in the starting lineup. Ansley and Amelia were also this season’s team captains.
“They finished the season with an 18-3 record, a region title and a state championship title,” Steve Cohen said. “The girls worked extremely hard throughout the season but played their very best in the playoffs, sweeping all five teams, 6-0, in the playoffs to win the state title.”
The state win against Daniel High School in Florence was a particularly exciting event, as it was the team’s last major match together. A clean sweep in six matches landed the girls with the state title – their second one since 2021.
All senior team members played in the five singles matches at state, joined by sophomores Harper Cohen and Jolie Mello, and junior Molly-Paige Steinfort. Reagan Donley and Cris Martinez dominated in doubles.
Ansley and Amelia also participated in North/South and competed individually for state wins; Ansley placed third and Amelia placed fourth.
Ansley said it felt good to win the state title as a team, especially considering this is her senior year.
She attributed their successful season to the strong bond all the teammates have held – many of the girls have played together since even before high school.
“The best part of the season was how close we got as a team this year, which I think allowed us to better work together more so than previous years,” Ansley said.
Amelia echoed similar thoughts on the camaraderie and the season’s ending.
“I think it was just kind of accomplishing,” she said. “I would say that being able to leave the program having won a state title – when we didn’t get to last year – it was rewarding.
“What I will miss the most is how close we were as a team this year,” she added. “This is one of the first years we were a true team – we did everything together…It was just special this year.”
