Nearly everyone at Harriton has heard about the incredible success of the Girls’ Tennis Team, winning an astonishing six consecutive state championships. Megan Woolbert, one of this year’s team captains, has been a key to this outstanding accomplishment over the past two years. Currently part of the 1st doubles team for the Rams with her partner Taylor Spencer, Megan has high hopes for this year as well. “I think we have a great chance to win our 7th straight state championship this year,” Megan said. “We only lost one senior, Morgan Frechie, from last year’s team. Our singles players and top two doubles teams continue to grow stronger with each year of experience. I think that playing with the same partner and a similar core group of players the past few years has helped us become a better team. Also we haven’t had too much turn over of seniors the past few years. Many people have the misconception that tennis is not at all a team sport, but a lot of it is being supportive of your teammates”.
As one of the many upperclassmen on this year’s squad, Megan has a great understanding of what it takes to win the state trophy. She has played 1st doubles on each of the two previous teams with Taylor Spencer as well. Megan and Taylor are two of this year’s five senior captains along with Jennie Shulkin, Laura Walzer, and Rebecca Weinstock. “We’ve all grown together as a team over the past few years. This year has been a little different though; we’ve worked harder to become more united as a team. We hang out more often outside of school, becoming better friends and I think it’s helped our play on the court,” said Megan. “We’re always there for each other, cheering at the fences while the last of our teammates finish their matches. Having so many returning players each year has helped us grow like a family”.
“Our team is mostly seniors, but our biggest addition since our first state championship team has been 2nd singles player and sophomore Hannah Drayton. Another key sophomore is Renee Simms. We also have a new freshman this year playing 3rd doubles, Jenny White,” Megan said.
The way Megan sees it; one of the best new additions that have come along with the new school building has been the set of new tennis courts. “At first I was kind of skeptical about the new building, but over time I’ve come to like it. Its amazing to have tennis courts right outside of the school again, it was irritating to have to take bus rides to public tennis courts the past two years, while the courts were under construction. We would always miss extra class and not be able to host as many home matches as before. Last year coach had said there would only be five courts, so when I arrived on the first day of practice and saw six, it was a nice surprise”
Tennis has been a passion for Megan for most of her life. She started playing at age 7 and plans on continuing to play all the way through college. “There are four colleges that I am seriously thinking about attending: Boston College, Lehigh, Richmond and Wake Forest. Wherever I end up I’m going to continue playing tennis there for club teams. I’ve played for so much of my life, I can’t imagine stopping in college”.
Though tennis is clearly one of her strong suits, it’s only one of the many activities and sports that Megan has become involved with over her years at Harriton. From participating in Harriton Service League (HSL) to playing softball, where she was team MVP last season, Megan has a full slate of activities. “Freshman year, I was either going to do newspaper or yearbook and I chose yearbook,” Megan mentioned. “It’s a small group, only four or five of us, but we have a great time together and it’s become one of my favorite activities at Harriton”.
“The Girl’s Tennis Team is something that I’ve always enjoyed, and that I will always remember. Winning a 3rd state championship for our senior class would be the perfect way to end our Harriton tennis careers,” Megan concluded.