Head Coach Mike Bostic is looking forward to winning a State Championship starting in his first year as the coach of the women’s tennis team. Bostic is also the Head Coach of the men’s tennis team.

“Our team goals are to win the MIC Conference Championship, the Carmel Invitational, and ultimately the State Championship.” Bostic said via email. Bailey Padgett, sophomore on the varsity team, said that the team has aimed high this year, and her personal goals are also high. “I want to get revenge and beat people that I lost to last year,” Padgett said. “I also want to win individual state if it gets to that.”

Bostic said that he is trying to find a balance between some of the old traditions of the women’s team and some of the traditions from the men’s team. Bostic said, “The girls have been really open to the changes and are excited about something new.”

Padgett said that the environment has changed this year because of the coaching change. “Last year we won State, and we bonded a lot together,” Padgett said. “The environment is definitely different this year, the practices are different, but (Bostic) is a great coach and he has a lot of experience coaching the guys to multiple State Championships.”

Bostic said that he is happy with the effort and attitude form the team so far. “I think Carmel High School is so successful because the students we have are very intelligent and unselfish,” Bostic said. Padgett said that she thinks the team is playing very well together this year. “I think we will do very well because we are more of a team than a lot of other teams this year,” Padgett said. “It’s not all about skill and talent, it has a lot to do with team chemistry which we have. We are competitive and still have fun while playing.”

Padgett said that she is looking forward to playing teams such a North Central and Cathedral later in the season. “Those are some of our biggest rivals, and we really would want to win against them,” Padgett said.

According to Bostic, the first big test for the team will be the Carmel Invitational, which will be held at Todd Witsken Tennis Center on April 21 at 9 A.M. “This tournament brings together some of the top teams in the state. Much like the John Shirley Invitational during the boys season, this invite is a measuring stick,” Bostic said. “I will get to see how our girls respond to the pressure and we will learn a lot about key opponents from around the state.” By Andrew Wang