With 11 returning seniors, 2 new seniors, and 7 new players who will continue on the Hingham Girls Varsity Tennis team next year, the team is set up for success for the 2026 season.
There are four senior captains: Sammy Price, Sam Ruddick, Katie Whitlock, and Gabi Magner. All four captains are strong presences on and off the court, defeating opponents with ease and guiding the new players in adapting to varsity level tennis. With such a large senior class, the team brings an unmatched level of experience and leadership, giving them a competitive edge in high-pressure matches.
Head Coach Steve Berger shares: “I am most excited about the blend of youth and experience on our team. We have 11 returning seniors who have improved a lot and played in a lot of regular season and playoff matches. We have two new seniors on varsity for the first time and then 7 new players who will maintain our high quality of play and team culture over the next few years. It will be exciting to see the veterans mentor the “rookies” but also get pushed by the rookies on court.”
After reaching the Final Four in each of the past two seasons, the program has established itself as one of the top contenders in the state. Due to their past success, the tennis team’s morale is high and they are hoping to repeat or go beyond last year’s accomplishments.
However, Berger emphasizes that the most important thing for the team is to have chemistry and strong sportsmanship. For him, that is what matters more than reaching the Final Four again. When asked about the season ahead he says: “My goals are the same every year. Have everyone improve and compete with effort every day, cultivate a love for a sport one can play for many years, and have us be a model of good sportsmanship. If we do that our record will take care of itself.”
This season represents both a continuation of the 2025 season success and a final opportunity for the senior class to leave their mark on the program. All of the seniors contribute greatly to the team and their skills help guide the new players, as well as making the sport fun!
Although senior Emma Kelley is sad for her last year of high school tennis, she is looking forward to an exciting season, noting, “Our team is super fun this year, especially considering we have players in all different grades. Everyone has been putting in their best effort and has a great attitude which makes the season all the better. There is so much great skill on the team this year, but what I think makes us successful is how much effort we put in, our good sportsmanship, and always having a smile on our faces.”
Freshman Annabelle Dutra echoes Emma’s enthusiasm about the coming season as it is her first year on the team. She expresses, “I love the tennis team! It has been incredibly welcoming and I’m looking forward to more sunny days practicing with great players!”
Even though the tennis team’s first match was cancelled, they are looking forward to the warm weather ahead and to be able to compete against teams across the state. As the season unfolds, Hingham Girls Tennis will look to turn its leadership, chemistry, and determination into another defining chapter in the program’s success.
