GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (GRPS) -- The Ottawa Hills Bengals girls’ tennis team is entering the season focused on improving their game and strengthening their connection as a team. Head coach Andre Posey, who is now in his 17th year leading the program, is eager to see what his team can accomplish.
“I’m very excited to coach these young ladies this season,” exclaimed Posey, an alumnus of Ottawa Hills High School. “They’re very ambitious and I’m looking forward to them being able to prove their potential.”
Singles positions are determined by skill level, ranking players from top to bottom. Doubles teams, however, are built with team chemistry in mind. Posey emphasizes communication and comfort between partners, allowing players with similar skillsets to pair with those they connect with best. The team has embraced that approach, recognizing how important relationships are, especially in doubles play.
“Having a partner you connect with really helps,” Gabriella Gomez-Maldonado said. “Communication always makes it easier.”
Across the roster, players also understand that success in tennis is heavily tied to mindset. Staying focused, especially in tight matches, is a priority this season.
“A lot of tennis is mental,” Lisa Lin said. “If you can erase in your memory that you made a mistake earlier, it can really help you play better in the moment.”
For Eleanor Kline, who will play first singles again this year, composure plays a major role in competing at a high level.
“Tennis is almost all mental,” Kline said. “Sometimes I go out and know the match is going to be hard, so the best thing I can do is try to match my opponent’s level of play.”
Niya Neal echoed the importance of effort and attitude as key measures of success.
“I want to make sure that every single game I put in effort and feel proud, like I had a great attitude and tried my best,” she said. “I want to look back and think, ‘look at what I did.’”
The Bengals are defining success through improvement and pride in performance. Whether it’s winning more points, building stronger partnerships, or staying mentally tough, Ottawa Hills is committed to steady progress. And with a lineup shaped by both their skills and their chemistry, the Bengals are prepared to grow together throughout the season.
