Jaime Gaard has been head coach of the girls tennis team for four years, and under her leadership, the girls’ varsity tennis team is starting off the 2014 season strong with four wins and one loss in the regular season play. “Jamie is a encouraging coach and she helps us push ourselves to succeed,” sophomore Bergen Flom said.

So far, the team has defeated Prior Lake, Lakeville South, Blake School, and Robbinsdale-Cooper but lost to Edina by a score of 1-6, taking fourth place in the state. “The season is off to a great start. Our team is working hard and it showed in big wins against tough opponents, Blake and Breck,” junior captain Paige McLeod said.

The captains this year are seniors Morgan Matson and juniors Taylor and Paige McLeod. In their second year as captains and fifth year on the team, the McLeod twins bring a wealth of experience to the team. “I always try to lead by example on and off the court. Being a captain is a privilege,” Paige McLeod says.

In addition to the substantial amount of experience, the team has been graced with a lot of young talent.Two seventh graders, Joey Trella and Cece Obetz, made the varsity team this year and looks to contribute to the team’s shot at state. “I’ve been playing tennis since I was four or five. Lately I’ve been playing at the St. Louis Park Lifetime and I’m enjoying playing a high school team,” says Trella.

In past years, the varsity team has been conference champs and headed into sections with high hopes until meeting their match against the Edina, who have claimed the Class AA Minnesota state title for the past 17 years. “I am excited about our season because we have a strong team. We have a lot of great players who are competing well at all positions. We are off to a great start. Our team is more confident this season and is showing more determination than ever to win tough matches,” says Taylor McLeod. The BSM team is excited to continue their winning streak and hopes to end the season strong.