On October 17, the Trinity Hall Varsity tennis team arrived at the CBA courts, racket in hand and ready to play – but there was one catch: they didn't know who they were playing. Many of the girls had asked around to find out who the opponent was, but Coach Dana Lenneper kept her cards close to her chest, just describing it as a “fun match” with a surprise opponent.
The girls gathered around the pavilion waiting for the opponents’ bus to show up, but instead of a bus full of teenagers coming up the pathway, their parents came marching, fully equipped with tennis rackets, water bottles and matching orange outfits. Senior third singles player, Olivia Lauto remarks, “I think everyone was in shock. When we saw our parents walk up to the pavilion in matching outfits, playing an Ozzy Osbourne song, we knew they were serious.” Not a single player expected their parents to be their surprise opponents, as the parents had successfully kept it a secret for so long.
The girls started the practice playing against their parents, which was extremely competitive, then switched it up so that they were playing with their mom or dad (or even little sibling). Freshman doubles player, Izzy Coco states, “Battling my parents on the court was unexpected but turned out to be a great bonding experience for us. It was a ton of fun!”
To finish out the practice, the girls and parents played an intense match of ping pong in which two teams were made and the last person remaining on the court without making an error won for their team. By the end of the practice, everyone had worked up a sweat while getting to spend quality time with their loved ones and their Trinity Hall teammates.
It was a great way for the players to finish out their solid season and let loose surrounded by their team and loved ones. Lauto expressed, “We shared a lot of laughs and maybe a little bit of smack talk too. I hope this was the beginning of another Trinity Hall tradition!”
Junior first singles player, Annya Patel added, “It was such a fun surprise watching my parents and all of the others walk up to the courts. We had a great time and it was a fun way to bond with my family and the team!”
This fun new tradition was all thanks to the planning of Coach Lenneper, Coach Maria and the girls’ parents, which required planning weeks in advance. Head Coach Dana Lenneper comments, “The parent game is one of my favorite new Trinity Hall traditions because it reminds everyone why we play - for the love of the game, the sisterhood, and the joy that comes with being part of this community.” She adds jokingly, “And it settles the debate of who can do it better!”