By FRED KRONER
fred@mahometnews.com
It was less than a decade ago, but the girls’ tennis program at Mahomet-Seymour in 2013 looked drastically different than it does in 2019.
The fledgling program was led by a volunteer coach.
The schedule was limited, highlighted by a few tournaments.
There were no practice facilities for the aspiring players in Mahomet.
These days, the Bulldogs are now coached by a person with a tennis background. The schedule has been expanded.
The players still have to leave town to practice, but the senior veterans know that the tennis program is headed in the right direction.
Last year’s team registered the best sectional finish (tie for fifth) and scored the most points at sectional (eight) in the history of the program.
“As we have accomplished more and more each year, we have grown confidence and experience as a team,” said senior Annie Bao, who holds down the No. 1 spot in singles. “Through the years, we have gained a large variety of players and have had the opportunity to challenge ourselves and enhance our abilities through playing more matches against players of different skill levels.
“As we work as a team to continually improve and progress each year, we have been able to recruit new players and further promote the tennis team. We radiate more Bulldog pride and feel more cohesion as a team than ever.”
This year’s team is the strongest and most balanced since the program was implemented.
The Bulldogs are 4-4 in dual meets, and could finish above-.500 for the first time in school history. M-S has a rescheduled dual meet at Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley on Thursday.
In singles, all six varsity players have at least five wins and none have more than six losses.
They are playing for more than the here-and-now.
“Tennis is a lifelong sport,” said senior Mrinali Kesavadas, the team’s No. 2 singles player. “It is a sport that I can play all through my adult life.
“Having played tennis for the past four years for the school, I have become close to my teammates and I will definitely miss going for practices, once the season ends. The goal for the remainder of the season is to do the best I can in our games.”
Kesavadas credits first-year head coach Alex Amatyleon for getting the team on fast-forward this fall.
“One of the main keys to the team’s successful start is that for the first time we have a permanent coach, who is himself a great tennis player, watches our games and gives us great tips during the games,” Kesavadas said. “We have often made changes in our strategy mid-way during the game.
“We appreciate the great influence that Coach Alex has had on the team so far. He has also been a great influence on the younger players.”
Among the memories squad members will take from the season is participating in the school’s first official “home” match, which was held Sept. 26 at Illini Grove.
That day, M-S defeated Maroa-Forsyth 6-3.
“Mr. (Matt) Hensley (athletic director) put up posters of the three seniors at the home game, which has never been done before,” Kesavadas said. “All of us were excited to see the posters before the game.”
The team’s third senior is Britta Slupski, who plays No. 4 singles. She is in her third year with tennis. Bao and Kesavadas are both four-year players.
The seniors take pride in being part of the foundation of establishing a program that will thrive and be competitive into the future.
They are aware that the building process takes time.
“Over the last four years, our team has steadily become more organized,” Kesavadas said. “We started competing against more schools and for the first time, last year we competed in the Apollo Conference.
“Most of the expenses over the last several years were borne by the parents. For the first time this year our tennis team is receiving full support from the school. We also have a formal coach. Thanks to all the changes, we have the most number of wins in the history of this team.
“I think the future for our school tennis looks very bright under the guidance of Coach Alex.”
The seniors embrace the challenge of being role models for the younger squad members.
Five of the athletes on the 12-member roster are sophomores.
“I always strive to set a strong example for my teammates to follow,” Bao said. “I cheer my team on and keep spirits high.
“I lead the Bulldog chant to make sure everyone knows we are all in this together. I demonstrate strategies we can use to conquer our matches and bring home victories.”
Bao’s personality helps her to tackle the leadership role.
“I am a very determined and positive person, and I have further developed these traits as a leader,” she said. “I use my determination to strengthen my teammates and my positivity to keep everyone pumped up, especially during matches.”
For Kesavadas, her role “means to serve my team and help them in any way that I can, especially with the new players. It is very important to be a role model by coming to all the practices on time and not missing even one practice no matter how busy I am off the courts.
“It is always important to encourage the team whether they are winning or losing and always have a positive attitude during the season.”
For Kesavadas, her willingness to lend a hand has gone beyond the courts.
“When I found out we didn’t have our uniforms before yearbook photos, I had to scramble to find the previous year’s shirts with our logo so that we can look as coordinated as possible,” she said.
M-S will compete in the Champaign Central Class 1A sectional, which starts on Friday. The Bulldogs are among 12 schools at the site with postseason entries.
“We could not have achieved our success without our incredible Coach Amatyleon and Assistant Coach (Scott) Cline,” Bao said. “Coach Amatyleon has developed us into talented athletes through his wisdom, advice, and dedicated training.
“Assistant Coach Cline has kept all of us alive by always being there for us with support and keeping us fueled and hydrated.”
Cline supplies cold water and Gatorade at practices and matches.
Kesavadas believes the next step for the program is to have courts to play on and practice at locally.
“We had all our practices at the University of Illinois courts,” she said. “I think having courts will encourage more students to take up tennis.”
At sectionals, the top four placers in both singles and doubles will qualify for state. Each school is permitted two entries in singles as well as two in doubles.
In the history of its tennis program, M-S has had one state-qualifier. Sara Rice advanced as a senior in 2014 after a fourth-place effort at sectional in singles. Though she was 0-2 at state, she won a set.
Bao is pleased with her sport of choice.
“Tennis means strength, power, commitment, and, of course, a lot of fun and bonding,” she said.
