The 2018 AHS girls tennis team, led by coach Steve Sand, is determined to continue last years winning season, and hope to perform even better at the state tournament. After winning throughout the beginning of the 2018 season, the team is preparing for their shot at the state trophy later this May.

AHS business teacher and girls tennis coach, Steve Sand, feels that this year’s team is a strong contender and hopes to see them compete at the state finals.

“I think that the team this year has a great chance of reaching the state finals. So far this season we have a winning record. We won our first tournament of the year and the majority of all of our other matches,“ Sand said. “We have played some tough teams, some 5A schools, but overall the season has been good, and we are looking forward to regionals next week.“

The AHS girls team is taking advantage of their strengths this year and coach Sand is looking to continue with last years momentum.

“Last year we won the regional round of the season and we also beat the Steamboat team for the first time in 12 years at regionals,” Sand said. “We ended up getting 7th in state last year at the 3A tournament, so this year we are hoping to repeat as regional champs and then go on to state and make a comeback from last year.”

AHS Junior and Danish exchange student, Niko Hansen, credits this year to be one of a kind, thanks to the team and AHS.

“This year has been such a great experience already getting to spend the year in Aspen, and now getting to play for the girl’s tennis team. This season has already been really fun, getting to play in tennis tournaments, playing with my teammates, and now getting to go compete at regionals,” Hansen said. “I think that this year we have a great chance of winning regionals like the team did last year, and I am hoping that I will get the chance to experience the state final tournament along with all of my great teammates.”

AHS Freshman and varsity tennis player, Macy Hopkinson, has had a great time so far and is looking forward to future seasons.

“This season has been really fun so far. Everyone on the team has been doing really well and working together as a group, helping each other out, as well as coach Steve, who has been really great,” Hopkinson said. “I am really looking forward to the upcoming games and tournaments, and I bet that we can make it to states. Having had such a great time playing tennis so far, I can’t wait for the future seasons with our great team.”