Season Summary 2011-12

The Western Reserve Academy girls tennis team ended the 2011 season by winning four of its final five matches to finish the year at 9-9.

First-year coach Sebastien Glinzler saw the team grow throughout the season into a more united group.

“I wanted to see how the freshman would transition into their roles and I wanted to see how Monica (Mehta ’12) would fill the second spot and she did very well,” Glinzler said. “It really was something nice to see. We were more of a tennis team, not just a varsity and a JV.

“It was a good experience for me and led me to realize what it means to be a part of the WRA team.”

Sydney King ’15 earned Most Valuable Player honors.

“Sydney came onto the scene this fall and quickly became the top pick for our varsity team,” Glinzler said. “For the year, she only lost four out of 18 dual matches.”

Inga Wells ’12 was named the team’s Most Improved Player.

“Inga was a four-year player who started on the C squad and worked hard during the off-seasons to elevate her game to the level of a varsity player,” Glinzler said.

Mehta earned the Coaches Award.

“Monica was the rock of the team,” Glinzler said. “She was a person I could go to as a coach with questions regarding the team and she helped me with all the formal school protocol this year.”

The Spirit Award went to Sithara Thalluri ’13.

“Sithara was a fountain of spirit for our team this year,” Glinzler said. “She made sure everyone listened and brought us through some tough times with smiles on our faces.”

Glinzler credited Wells and Mehta with helping him during his first year as coach.

“We had some great seniors this year,” he said. “They have been here longer than I have, so they could teach me about the school and they set an example for me about what I can expect from the seniors in years to come.”

Now that he has his first season under his belt, Glinzler will continue to work to build the tennis program year-round.

“We have some great players and we have what it takes to build a good tennis program,” Glinzler said. “It’s not just about having great players, but it is about creating tennis players for life. Jill Evans did great with the junior varsity and Kim Barsella ’84 did an outstanding job brining tennis to the lives of the C squad this year. We will continue to work with the students on a winter tennis program to keep them playing year-round.

“I’m very honored to be a part of the tennis program. There is a sense that the school is larger than life and I feel like I’m not just a tennis coach, but that I’m part of a bigger thing.”

Head Coach:   Sebastien Glinzler
Captains:       Monica Mehta and Inga Wells

Athletic Awards

MVP:            Sydney F. King

MIP:              Inga L. Wells

Coaches:       Monica P. Mehta

Spirit:          Sithara Thalluri