By Jim McGrath | jmcgrath@alextimes.com
Just two months into his initial season as the head coach of the Episcopal High School girls fall tennis team after five years as assistant coach, Thomas Goodman is already enjoying a team experience that some coaches work for decades to achieve.
With a record of 3-3, the Maroon stands in fourth place out of the eight teams in the AA division of the Independent School League. Episcopal is ranked fifth in the initial Virginia Independent School Athletic Association Division I rankings and is looking to break into the top four.
While eight teams qualify for postseason play in the VISAA, placing high is of major importance for leagues as home court advantage will be based on ranking all the way through the championship games. A top-four ranking guarantees at least one home match. In a perfect world, Episcopal could play all of its postseason matches on its home Shuford Courts, located on its sprawling campus.
Of course, there are plenty of competitive teams in both leagues. In the Independent School League, Holton-Arms School sits at the top of the standings with a 4-0 record in conference.
The Potomac School and Sidwell Friends are tied for the second spot at 3-1 in the ISL. While Goodman’s crew was narrowly defeated 4-3 by Holton-Arms on Sept. 24, they had a much tougher time against the Panthers of Potomac two days later and endured a 7-0 shutout, to hold a current 1-2 mark in the ISL. Potomac is ranked No. 2 in VISAA Division I.
However, this group can handle adversity, Goodman told the Times.
“I’ve been here for five years,” Goodman said. “This team has as much depth as I’ve seen here.”
There’s more.
“I have been around good groups [of players],” Goodman continued. “But these girls equally admire and respect each other. They have earnest interest and concern for the well-being of each other.”
How close does his unit of 14 girls come in playing ability? After all, the typical tennis game lineup allows for four singles players and three teams of doubles players – ten in all, assuming that no one plays singles and doubles in the same match.
A visit to the Episcopal courts on a Monday can help to answer the question. The net minders utilize four courts. Two are reserved for drills, one is for match practice and on Mondays, the fourth becomes the team’s challenge court.
“We play challenge matches on Mondays,” Goodman explained. In essence, each week, the players earn their spot for the next match. “It keeps us healthy, competitive and with a compassionate attitude.”
However, the top player on the team is notable. Katharine Morrison plays each team’s top singles player and has been on the top doubles team as well. Yet, Goodman notes that as of late, the duo of Piper Ogden and Mary Templeton has worked together well and held down the No. 1 doubles team.
Morrison is also the driving force behind the Maroon team culture.
“She sets the tone for us, but she does it with kindness,” Goodman noted. “I don’t want to sound cliched, but she is a great player [and] a better person.”
Others are contributing mightily.
“Nora George has stepped up,” Goodman remarked. Others mentioned include Presley White, Catherine Cooper and a pair of Gigis, McFarland and Powell.
On Oct. 17, Episcopal will tangle against St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes School in the annual Seminary Hill Cup match.
“It’s a great match for us, great exposure,” Goodman added. “Last year, we had students surrounding the outside of the court. It was incredible, and it’s great exposure for us.”
If the team advances deep in the ISL or VISAA brackets, those crowds will come back.
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