As the Lafayette girls tennis team starts another season, hopes are high that they will surpass the success of last year’s team, which advanced to the state quarterfinals and sent five players to the Individual State Tournament.

This years team, with 106 players, is the largest in the history of the program. On the topic of the record number of players, head coach Donna Stauffer said, “It makes us better. We want to make sure that all of our players meet their individual goals as well as the goals for our team  – so we have to work harder.”

Players expected to make an impact this year include senior Abby Carpenter, who went undefeated last season and advanced to the quarterfinals in the State doubles tournament, and sophomore Caroline Pozo, who transferred to Lafayette from St. Joseph’s Academy. Pozo placed second in last year’s State singles tournament and finished the season with a 24-2 record.

The team will face stiff competition this year, said Carpenter: “Rock bridge, St. Joe’s and Lee’s summit are our toughest competition.” Nonetheless, coach Stauffer expects nothing less than a championship. “Our goals are always to win our District, conference and State championships.”