This year, the La Porte High School girls' tennis team is looking to make a big impact in the Duneland Atheltic Conference. This is coach Nick Garstka’s first year coaching girls tennis and he is ready for the challenge.
“I am looking for a new challenge. This is my first year coaching girls’ tennis and it is different. So far it has been fun,” explained Garstka.
The team is fairly young but ready to compete and is looking forward to improvement throughout the season. The team has so far started out with an even record of 2-2, but had not played any conference matches up until April 22nd against Marquette. The season so far has been obstructed by the Midwest’s pesky weather, but clearer skies are ahead.
“Our strength as a team is determination. They are definitely working very hard this year, which is what I ask for,” commented Garstka.
The team hopes to end with a winning season. The slicers finished close to that last year with a record of 8-9 and the previous year had six wins. The key to achieving a winning season is to focus on consistency and putting the ball in play.
“My goal is to get at least .500. The first year we are over .500 I will be happy,” noted Garstka.
The team is led by seniors Cari Hughes, Kayla Wurster, and Carin Weston who hope to round out their senior year on a high note.
Hughes said, “This is my last year so I am ready to have a good season.”