The girls tennis team’s 2015 season has commenced under the guidance of new captains and with the addition of a key freshman.

Senior captains Mia Partridge and Pankhuri Walia have high hopes this year.

“My goal for the team is to have a winning season,” said Partridge. “It would be a great achievement to make the playoffs.”

In order to achieve this goal, Walia said that it is important for the captains to get new players comfortable competing at the high school level and build a sense of team unity.

The team will play tough rivals including Shrewsbury (at home on April 16), Westborough, and Wachusett but the captains believe that the team is up to the challenge.

“We work very hard and learn from each other,” said Walia.

“I really like and respect the captains,” said freshman Alexis Almy.  “They have shown great leadership in ensuring new players, such as myself, were immediately welcomed.”

Although they graduated six seniors last year, the addition of Almy should help the team’s chances of making the playoffs.

“Alexis Almy is an experienced and ranked USTA player,” head coach Julie Doyle said.  “She will be a huge asset to our team.”

Almy has considerable individual talent, which she attributes to the support of her family, good coaching, setting goals and working hard to accomplish them.

A combination of quickness, consistency, and sharp situational awareness has also contributed to Almy’s number five ranking for her age group in New England.  Almy realizes, however, that a team effort will be required for a successful season.

“I’m planning on being a strong team player and bringing a positive work ethic to practice each day,” said Almy.  “We have to have fun and support each other.”

Doyle will also have a great influence on the team and describes her coaching method as cooperative.

Like her players, Doyle hopes to partake in the postseason tournament for the first time in two years.

“We will have to have a better than 500 record and I am confident that this team can make that happen,” Doyle said.