JV tennis placed fourth in the Notre Dame de Sion JV Tournament held at Minor Park on Sep. 10. More importantly, however, the team hosted and organized one of two JV-exclusive tournament of the season, showing its dedication to all levels of play.

Coaches Karen Phillips and Karen O’Neill in charge of the tournament agreed that JV players deserve a competitive playing environment, especially when the vast majority of city tournaments are reserved to varsity players.

“It’s a competitive tournament that only JV girls get to play in,” Phillips said. “There’s 92 girls out here which makes it fun.”

Starting at 8 a.m. and ending at 5 p.m., most team members played three matches, and QuikTrip gift cards for winners made play more competitive than a typical JV match. 8 teams from around the city came to compete.

“It’s a full day of play,” Phillips said.

Even in the more aggressive atmosphere, players enjoyed spending time with each other between matches. After drying off the courts with squeegees for the first hour of the tournament and playing in harsh heat and humidity, the team camped out under an awning with snacks and their signature caramel apple lollipops.

“[My favorite part was] hanging out with everyone all day and missing school,” sophomore Aubrey Johnston said after winning her match against Park Hill South.

Even though the team dominated in the first round of the tournament against Park Hill South and played well throughout the day, they were edged out of the top three teams by Aquinas, losing 5-4. Despite their loss, Phillips said the tournament was “a good battle” for the team.