By Courtney Russo – Social Media Editor-in-Chief

Harshitha Kothapalli is a senior captain of the Jonathan Law girls tennis team. Advocate Social Media Editor-in-Chief Courtney Russo interviewed Kothapalli about the season.

Courtney Russo: How has the season gone so far?

Harshitha Kothapalli: This season has gone exceptionally well. We have played some difficult teams, such as North Haven and Sacred Heart, and teams we have never played before, like Bridgeport Central. However, our girls have learned how to stay consistent during the highs and quickly adapt during the lows. This has been evident in both our match play and our 5-0 record. 

CR: What are your goals for this season?

HK: My goals for the team this season are to make States and SCCs. But, most importantly, to grow as players and people on and off the court. I want to see these girls at the end of the season and think about how many skills we’ve gained, and reminisce about the experiences we had. Personally, my goal is to stay consistent throughout the season and remain unaffected by unforced errors made. 

CR: How is this season different from last season?

HK: This year, we lost four starting doubles players, and we knew we needed to adapt quickly. Our team is fairly young, and with dedication, these girls have been able to play and win in spots they have never played in before. The biggest thing this team has that takes us farther than others is grit. 

CR: As a captain, how have you helped the new players?

HK: I think the most important transition into a new season is ensuring that all players, especially new players entering the team, are welcomed and celebrated. We try to emphasize the importance of being positive no matter what. Every single person on the team will have a bad day, but that doesn’t mean they should be talked down to or yelled at due to that. 

CR: What’s been your most challenging moment this season?

HK: Tennis is a very mental sport. With that comes hard moments through every season. My biggest challenge that I will continue working on is remembering to have a short memory. My performance from a prior match, set, game, or even point should not affect my current performance. With that, comes a positive mindset even when I’m playing alone or with a partner. Remembering to be kind to myself despite my bad days is in an important lesson and a hard challenge.