Senior Series - Hayley Garber

Tennis has been a part of my life ever since I could walk, but there is an immense difference between playing for a team and playing individually. Most tennis players are so used to the individual aspect of the sport that we don't really know what it is like to even be on a team. Hawken Athletics was my first real exposure to being on a tennis team, both in the Lower School and in the Upper School. While my experiences may not have all been sunshine and rainbows, there are many positives to outweigh the negatives. I was fortunate enough to be one of the top varsity players all four years, and I have some very notable accomplishments that I will forever be grateful for. Not many athletes can say they are a four-time state qualifier, and I can proudly say that is something Hawken Tennis allowed me to accomplish. 

While the team members might not be best friends outside of the court, we all found a way to put our differences aside and support each other. No matter if we were winning or losing, we could always hear someone yelling across the courts "let's go Hawks." While I was out injured most of my senior season, my teammates really stepped up to the plate and played my court for me. Being out injured is always hard, especially for my last season, but my team made sure to allow me to have as normal a season as I could and to support me through the recovery process. Though being a designated cheerleader wasn't what I envisioned my senior season to look like, I got to still contribute by cheering them on, which can honestly go a very long way in such an individual sport. I was also able to create such a special bond with the entire coaching staff that I will forever be grateful for. Our coaches only wanted what was best for us and supported us throughout every match. Leaving the Hawken coaching staff might be one of the hardest parts to let go of. To this day, I still communicate with them and often stop in their offices just to catch up or talk tennis. 

I knew I always wanted to play collegiate tennis, but playing on the team for the past four years helped me confidently make that decision. While closing the chapter of Hawken Tennis is difficult, I am so excited for the next one. I will be playing Division 1 tennis at Longwood University, and I don't think I would've had this opportunity if it weren't for this program. 

To my teammates, thank you for trusting me to captain you this year even though I couldn't play most of the matches. To the coaching staff, thank you for the endless support and understanding. It was a tough season, but you helped make it as normal as possible (also thanks for always having food for me!). To Sara and the whole AT department, thanks for getting me through the post-season even though I probably shouldn't have played it (yes, it was worth playing). To my parents, thank you for coming to every match and supporting me, win or loss. And lastly, to Hawken Athletics, thank you for all the amazing years and opportunities. I will definitely miss them. 

While I might be becoming a Lancer next year, I will forever be a Hawk.