KINGSTON – Two years ago, Silver Lake did not field a girls tennis team due to a lack of interest. Last year, Terry Baker came out of retirement to become head coach, and although the Lakers were winless, she managed to bring new life to the program. The Lakers are just 1-8 this spring, but 22 girls are on the team, up from 11 last year. Clearly, the program is on the rise. “Our won-loss record doesn’t look so good but the girls have been awesome,” said Baker, who coached the boys program to 13 tournament appearances from 1984 to 1997. “This season is a wonderful step forward. We might be struggling, but we’re competitive in every match.” The Lakers’ lone win came against East Bridgewater as they posted victories at second and third singles and in both doubles matches. Sophomore Abby Gallagher led the way at second singles, where she is 5-4 on the season. Freshman Morgan Suschecki won at No. 3, while the doubles pairings consisted of sophomores Emma Hamilton and Emma Hall at No. 1, and junior Allie Tappen and senior Lexi Kupic at No. 2. Kupic returned to the lineup after missing the first seven matches with a concussion. Hall has also spent time playing third singles, with junior Jess Costas stepping in to team with Hamilton at doubles. Also filling the third singles spot has been junior Margaret Ingmanson. The first singles position is manned by Sarah Gonick, who has earned the spot in her freshman season. Although she has yet to win a match, Gonick has shown promise for the future. “Sarah is very talented and she has a tennis background,” Baker said. “She has a wonderful temperament and great ground strokes. She just has a classic style.” With only one senior on the roster, the Lakers are clearly looking toward the future, something that didn’t seem plausible only two years ago. “Last year we had girls who didn’t think of themselves as tennis players come out for the team and they loved it,” Baker said. “I didn’t have to do any recruiting this year; they went out and recruited their friends. Now the future looks great for us.” photo credit: Heidi Harting