Nell Jones, a senior, has been on the girls’ tennis team for four years and served as co-captain this year with Sophia and Gabrielle Kontra. This year, the tennis team has experienced many changes, including new coaching and many new freshmen. A previous Banner article covered their trip to states. The Harriton Banner sat down with Nell to talk about her experience with a new coach, learning from previous captains, and having fun in Hershey.

HB: What was your position on the team?

NJ: I played 3rd doubles with Sophia Kontra.

HB: How was the tennis record this year?

NJ: During the season, we were 12-2, and in the postseason, we came in third in the districts tournament and lost in the semifinals for the states tournament. That was the farthest the girls’ tennis team has made it in states since we were moved up a division.

HB: How was being in Hershey for states over Halloween?

NJ: Being in Hershey was fun around Halloween because after our first match we went to the amusement park and there were different Halloween related events going on. Also, the team got really close this year so it was fun to spend the holiday together.  

HB: Harriton girls’ tennis got a new coach this year. Was that different from last year?

NJ: They adjusted well. Of course we missed our old coach since he had been with the team for 10 years, but Coach Broida did a good job taking over the team and coaching us to be successful.  

HB: What was your job as a captain?

NJ: As co-captain with Sophia and Gabrielle Kontra, we were in charge of mostly all the team things like ordering clothing and scheduling team dinners, etc.  Also, since Coach Broida was new, we made sure to help him with whatever he needed.  For example, in the first match of districts, our first singles couldn’t play, so our coach decided to change the lineup and move everyone up one. The whole team talked about it and thought it would be better to just forfeit that singles match and keep everyone where they are used to playing.  As captains, we discussed with the coach, who also agreed, and we ended up winning the match.  

HB: As a co-captain, did you change anything that the team does? Any new events or activities?

NJ: We planned more team events (like dinners) than in the previous years, but we learned a lot from the captains last year, so we used that to help us out with this year.  

HB: Will you continue to play tennis in college?

NJ: I will probably play tennis recreationally in college but not competitively.  It’s a sport that I will always have, which is one of the reasons that I like it so much.

HB: How do you think the team will be next year?

NJ: I think the team will be really good for the next three years considering our top players are freshmen.  In the state semi-finals, we lost to a team of all seniors.  I definitely think Harriton could win the states in the next three years.

HB: How are you planning to end the season?

NJ: We are having a banquet to celebrate the end of an amazing season.