Bemidji Girls' Tennis Leaning on Senior Leadership in 2026 | Lakeland News

Duration: 2:35 530 transcript words EN summary

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The Bemidji Girls' Tennis team is set to field a senior-heavy squad in 2026, relying on the leadership of seven returning players after graduating only two seniors from the previous season's varsity roster. Many of these athletes have already accumulated significant playing time since their sophomore year and have proven themselves in high-stakes environments, including a victory in the Section 828 team title in 2024 and appearances in the state quarterfinals. Head coach Kyle Fodness has been particularly impressed by the group's maturity early in the season, noting that after just two practices, the players demonstrate an innate focus and understanding of championship-level expectations without needing constant reminders. What distinguishes this team is not only their skill on the court but also their character and work ethic, which Coach Fodness describes as genuine rather than exaggerated clichés about hard work and fun. The seniors have spent the summer refining their game with the specific goal of holding underclassmen to the high standards of "Lumberjack tennis," emphasizing leading by example through early arrivals and maintaining positive attitudes. While the ultimate objective remains reaching the state tournament, the team acknowledges that simply improving upon last year's performance would be a monumental achievement for everyone involved. Beyond the competitive goals, the players express a strong desire to enjoy the experience with their friends and play their best regardless of the final scoreline. One player admitted feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness about the upcoming season, highlighting a mindset that values personal satisfaction and effort over just winning matches. This balanced approach suggests a team culture built on mutual support and a shared love for the sport, which should contribute to a season filled with wins, laughter, and lasting memories for the program. The season officially kicks off next Monday, August 24th, with a packed schedule that begins at Pine City for a quadrangular meet. Following that event, the team will return home on Wednesday to face Thief River Falls and Alexandria in a triangular match, before heading to Alexandria the next day for another triangular contest. The week concludes with a home match against Hibbing, setting the stage for what promises to be an engaging and memorable campaign for the Lumberjacks as they aim to build on their recent successes and develop the next generation of leaders within the program.

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It will be a senior heavy squad in 2026 for Bemidji girls tennis after graduating only two seniors from last season's varsity roster. The Lumberjacks will have seven on the courts this year. Many of them have seen significant play time since they were sophomores and have played in big matches including winning the Section 828 team title in 2024 and playing in the state quarterfinals. Just two practices into the season, head coach Kyle Fodness has been impressed with the group's maturity. >> They have learned so much um through the last couple years and playing in really big matches where when they come out to practice, you don't have to ask them to focus on things that they would do if they were in a section championship match, section semi-final match. They already know that's what they're preparing for and playing for. What makes this group special is when you say the cliches about a group that they're really hard working and they're really fun. Sometimes as a high school coach, I think in some different sports and programs and areas you have to maybe stretch the truth there a little bit. This group is just to a person an awesome group, great people, great leaders, uh people you'd want, you know, coaching your kids and uh they're also dang good tennis players. So, we're looking forward to a really, really fun season full of a lot of wins and a lot of laughs, a lot of good memories. >> The senior group worked hard over the summer to make themselves better on the court, but now they're also hoping many of the underclassmen understand what it means to play Lumberjack tennis and holding them to that standard. >> Well, we talk a lot about like leading by example. So, just really showing like showing up early and just like not having a bad attitude. Yeah, obviously the goal is to go to state, but honestly improving from last year would just be a big big thing for our team. >> I'm really excited. I'm also like a little nervous. I haven't start off the season super great, but I'm really excited and I think our team will do really well this year. >> It's not just about winning. I want to have fun with my friends and just going out there and playing my best and feel good about how I played regardless of the outcome. >> The Jacks have a busy first week of the season and it starts next Monday, August 24th. They're at Pine City for a quadrangular. Then they'll be home 2 days later on Wednesday to take on Thief River Falls and Alexandria in a triangular. Then the next day they're at Alex for a triangular. And then they will finish the week out at home versus Hibbing. >> Sports on Lakeland News is sponsored in part by Paul Bunyan Communications, powered by the GigaZone, one of the largest all fiber optic gigabit networks in the country with internet speeds up to 10 gig. Lakeland News is a non-profit news organization. Donate to Lakeland PBS today to support your local news team.