For a sport that is often regarded as individual, the Glenbrook South varsity women’s tennis squad is off to a great team start, according to head coach Katie Nicolotti.

“Often times tennis can seem like an individual sport […] But in high school tennis it doesn’t matter if you individually win or lose,” Nicolotti said. “We win and lose as a team so my goal for the girls is to really feel that sense of unity and to put the team before themselves.”

According to Nicolotti, the Titans have already succeeded in achieving her goals with key wins including a victory against North, a fourth-place finish at the New Trier invite, a first-place standing at the Moline tournament and a second-place standing at the Loyola invite.

“We’ve had some really big wins so far,” co-captain CC Hoogland said. “And we are looking forward to carrying on that through conference, sectional and state.”

The early victory over North on Sept. 6 was an ideal way to start the season, according to Nicolotti.

“We played North and we beat them for the first time since I have been coaching,” Nicolotti said. “We won 4-3, so it was really tight competition, but in years past North has dominated us, so it was really exciting for the girls to get that victory and it really shows that we have a much stronger and competitive team.”

Hoogland expressed that the team this year has a very strong line-up.

“I think our team has natural talent and determination,” Hoogland said. “We have been motivated to work hard during practice, which has definitely showed in matches. Our team is also very deep. We have strong players throughout the entire line-up rather than just at the top.”

Nicolotti has noted that the team has gotten stronger this past year and has high hopes for them going into sectionals and state. The team has a lot of strong players and solid young players, according to Nicolotti. One standout she mentioned was sophomore Caroline Ryba.

“Last year she beat New Trier’s best player,” Nicolotti said. “This year she beat the number one girl from Stevenson, which was a very big deal. They are both very strong players in the area.”

According to Nicolotti what makes this team very strong is not only the intensity the girls have on the court, but also three freshman standouts.

“It’s definitely different because I remember when I was a freshman they wouldn’t pull anyone up, but they all really deserve to be on the team,” co-captain Caley Howland said. “They are all really strong and experienced players also so it’s fun having around.”

Hoogland also noted that the freshmen’s biggest contribution is the atmosphere they create.

“They never seemed like freshmen from the beginning,.They came onto the team with positive energy and confidence,” Hoogland said.

South is hoping to send Ryba and Mary Friedman back to the state tournament. Other players to send include Friedman’s partner, senior Diana Diaconu, co-captains Hoogland and Howland, and freshman Anne Emme, a strong singles player, according to Nicolotti.

“For the first time, I am really excited about our season because we have just so much potential,” Nicolotti said. “In years past, we have not have had this level of competition. This year it’s a different climate.”