The Stone Memorial Lady Panthers girls tennis team is leaning into growth, chemistry, and consistency as they push through the heart of the high school tennis season.
In her second year at the helm, head coach Nicole Masood said she has made one thing clear. Masood said success starts with players finding their place, both on and off the court.
Masood said fitting in has become a central message for the program, as she and her staff work to build cohesion across a team navigating the ups and downs of a competitive schedule.
“We’ve had our struggles with some of the matches,” Masood said. “We’re just being consistent with practices, with their hitting, their forehand, backhand, their placement. That is really my ultimate goal coming into April.”
Despite those early-season challenges, Stone Memorial enters the stretch run of the season with a foundation rooted in development. The Lady Panthers have shown in recent years they can compete at a high level, including strong district tournament performances and producing state-level individual qualifiers, a standard Masood is working to sustain.
Now in her second season, Masood said the transition into the program has been seamless, thanks in large part to the players themselves.
“The team has been excellent,” Masood said. “They’ve been very welcoming for my husband and myself as their coaches and it’s gone great.”
Masood said that connection has translated into a culture centered on trust and growth, something she does not take lightly.
“It’s been exciting and an honor to coach these kids,” Masood said. “They have really opened up to us and they are the most amazing group of kids I have ever worked with.”
As April unfolds, Stone Memorial remains focused on sharpening fundamentals and translating practice consistency into match-day success. With a unified locker room and a clear developmental approach, the Lady Panthers are positioning themselves to be a factor once postseason play arrives.
