As the 2025 Liberty District champions, McLean girls tennis is hoping to continue their undefeated streak throughout the post season and to a state championship title. The team has demonstrated strong consistency all season, and is projected to do very well in the championship season.
“Obviously we went undefeated, so the season went pretty good for the team,” junior Katelyn Gray said. “I do think we are really prepared for regionals and hopefully states.”
Two major moments for girls tennis were their big district wins against Langley High School, the second of which was to win the Liberty District. The Saxons have beaten the Highlanders the past two years, and the intense rivalry caused tension on the court and intense determination on both sides. McLean dominated, winning the first match at Langley 8-1, and the second one 7-2 on Highlander home court.
“We haven’t beaten Langley since I was a freshman, so the first time we beat Langley this season was the best feeling ever,” Gray said. “Beating them a second time to stay undefeated and getting to take the championship pictures and all that felt really good and made us feel really confident for regionals.”
Going into regionals, the team recognizes that new competition will bring new challenges. They’ve proved their ability to win against every team in the Liberty District, but have yet to face a few teams from the Northern Region. Ultimately, they understand the drive it will take to win.
“All of us need to stay focused and take it one match at a time. Just because we’re excited, we have been getting ahead of ourselves a little bit, but I think that’s going to get us cocky,” Gray said. “We need to make sure that in our heads we have the mentality that this isn’t an automatic win, we have to work for it.”
Because they won districts, McLean earned a bye, giving them some extra time to practice before their first regional match on Thursday, May 22.
“We’ve been practicing as a team every day,” Gray said. “I know people are going to their individual practices as well to get better.”
Mclean’s girls tennis team has experienced a new set of coaches each year for the past two years. This year, biology teacher MacKenzie Rankin was named head coach, with assistant coach biology teacher Ashley Hastings. The team has had to adjust to the new coaching style, which initially was a struggle for both coaches and players.
Once the team found their rhythm, the dynamic became an important part of their success. Girls tennis has always put emphasis on cheering each other on and working to celebrate wins and build each other up after any losses. Initially, the new coaching staff hindered this team spirit, but eventually players and coaches both adapted to each other’s approach.
“The team dynamic this year is really good, and I know all of the girls really well,” Gray said. “ I feel like we’re all just one big unit, and I think that’s definitely what makes us such a force in doubles.”
This is key to their success, especially as the freshman and new players on the team were shoved into high school tennis without any previous experience.
“We have a lot of new players, so a challenge for some of them was figuring out how to adapt to highschool tennis,” Gray said. “It was really cool to see how they grew throughout the season.”
McLean’s varsity girls tennis will play against Madison High School in their first round of regionals on Thursday, May 22. Although a tough matchup, the team feels confident in their ability to fight hard for the win.
“I have high hopes of beating Madison tonight,” sophomore Anna Polykoff said. “We’ve really played our best and hardest and it’s really paid off. Madison is definitely one of our harder competitors, but the girls have been practicing hard and I definitely feel that we will win against them tonight.”
