The Griffith Girls Tennis team played their first game of the season on Thursday, April 10 at East Chicago Central High School, with Griffith winning 10-9.

Despite a close score, the Panthers pulled through with determination and teamwork, securing their first win of the year.

Before taking the court, players shared mixed feelings about the matchup.

“I didn’t expect any of us to be perfect, but I knew our team was amazing and had great skills,” said sophomore Dulce Beltran. “We’ve improved a lot since we first started practicing, and that’s all thanks to our coaches.”

Freshman Casey Cundiff expressed confidence ahead of the match, though nerves kicked in once play began.

“I was pretty confident about winning because I’d been practicing for weeks,” Cundiff said. “But once I got on the court, the nerves hit. When we were in a deuce, I thought we were going to lose because my serves kept going into the net.”

Still, Cundiff believed Griffith had a slight edge. “We were more prepared, had more knowledge, and more team members,” she said.

With their first win behind them, the Panthers are looking to carry this momentum into the rest of the season.