The Lincoln girls’ tennis program ended on a high note with four state qualifiers at this year’s WIAA Girls State Tennis Tournament, with returning qualifiers Olivia Minikel and Taylor Peterson and newcomers Jordin Popp and Zylia Kleinfeldt.
Head coach Stephanie Henschel is proud of the team and their success this season.
While speaking with coach Henschel on WOMT Sports Talk, we got an inside look at how she emphasizes teamwork in such an individual sport.
“I think for me, when I became part of the program, I wanted to build a family, that was my thing, so we have team dinners,” she explained. “I try to get the JVs and the varsity together a lot, although sometimes it’s hard to practice just because the abilities are so different, but they do want to be, sometimes it is functional family, but they are a family, and they support each other.”
Henschel also noted, “The JVs love to watch the varsity players, there’s sometimes where it’s their first match, and I’m like watch them, and they get the scoring down and they know how doubles move. So, they do help each other a lot and I think that just seeing the support of our JV players with our varsity ones they just love it.”
Later in the program, we were able to speak with Lincoln’s doubles tandem about how a doubles team truly operates and what the key to their success has been throughout this season.
Taylor Peterson went on to explain what she felt pushed them to state.
“I feel like communication was really big for us,” she said. “Just getting to know each other, and our strengths and weaknesses. The more chemistry we had just kind of helped us be more honest with each other, and overall get better”.
Zylia Kleinfeldt added that she and Taylor put in time outside of school practices to truly perfect their technique and style of playing.
Olivia Minikel made her 4th trip to the state tournament this year with a #1 seed and 3rd place finish.
Throughout the years she has picked up a few tricks on how to stay focused within her matches and how to keep the nerves at bay.
“Over time, you learn to tune out the atmosphere, because everyone there is cheering,” she explained. “They’re cheering against you they’re cheering for you, no matter what it might be, but you just have to play your own game and I think that’s really helped me.”
With a season record of 27-3, Jordin Popp looks to continue the legacy of a Lincoln player holding the #1 spot this next season, although they are big shoes to fill, she feels she is up to the challenge.
The Lincoln Girls Tennis program will now be entering their off-season, but they look to continue this success next year.
