A 5-0 win over Seaford on Senior Night May 5, gave the Sussex Academy girls' tennis team a 6-6 regular-season record.

The night started out by honoring a trio of seniors on the team, including captain Karina Lopez.

“It was really nice to see everyone all together,” Lopez said. “This has been a really special year with the kind of girls we've had, and I feel like everyone has been really into tennis and has been wanting to be here, so that's made it really rewarding for me as a captain.”

Lopez cruised to a victory at first singles, while her classmate Emma Feagans was part of the winning first-doubles duo. For Feagans, the night held a special meaning.

“My dad, he's in the military, so they all moved to Virginia Beach,” Feagans said. “I decided to stay back because last year I found my family in this tennis team. It’s really emotional because coach Rich [Lichtenwalner] stepped up. He was like a father figure while my dad was away, and the girls were my sisters while my sisters were away, so it was just a big family, and it's so hard to leave.”

While she was on her own, she thinks she got good practice for when she goes off to college, including some of the more frustrating parts of independence.

“Serving is the one way I take it out because you can be as aggressive as you want, and you get some of the best serves,” Feagans said.

The senior will miss her doubles partner, Gia Berberian.

“It's bittersweet, really, because my tennis partner, Gia, she's just amazing and I just love her so much,” Feagans said.

Sarah Lester Stranick, who also plays golf, was the first senior honored during the ceremony. She joined the tennis team to try and reignite her passion for the sport.

“All of my senior nights have been great – pretty positive – and very reflective over my high school career and especially coming back to tennis,” Lester Stranick said. “It's been really fun and really energetic, and I've really enjoyed it.”