By Scarlet Rome ’28, Sports Staff Writer

The Newark Academy Girls’ Varsity Tennis (NAGVT) program is best known for its athletic excellence. They set a very high standard of play each year, often concluding with   dominant winning records such as: 17-1 (2024), 14-3 (2023), 17-3 (2022) and 16-4 (2021). The NAGVT team closed out the 2025 fall season with a 19-1 record, losing only to Holy Angels Academy in the conference tournament. The team was full of spirit and extreme athleticism, led by captains Carly Polow ’26, Lily Schonbraun ’27, and Yuxi Zhang ’27. 

I sat down with Carly to discuss her experience as a captain and the team’s continued success:

Q: In what ways has the girls’ tennis program changed or evolved since your freshman year?

A: Honestly, I feel like it has been the same, but our team has gotten stronger. We didn’t win the Essex County Tournament my freshman and sophomore year, but we won it the past two years, so that is a big difference. 

Q: How has the NA tennis program assisted you in becoming a better player over the years?

A: Since we are traditionally very good and I wanted to play, I had to work really hard outside of school. I practiced very consistently with not just my physical tennis skills but my agility, fitness, and quickness. I love representing NA, so I try my best and  really enjoy winning and celebrating with my teammates.

Q: What are the responsibilities of being a captain, how have you enjoyed it, and did it feel different?

A: I really enjoyed leading the team and demonstrating leadership. It was important to me to make sure the freshmen adjusted well and felt confident. My doubles player this season was a freshman, so as a captain I was her role model. When playing with her I was able to teach her a lot and she improved.

Q: Newark Academy has always had a rich tradition of success in tennis. As a team, do you discuss the responsibility to hold yourselves to these traditions?

A:We start by setting team goals every year to hold ourselves to a standard of winning during preseason team meetings. Additionally, it is also really important for us to have a good attitude on the court and bring lots of spirit to the program. As a team we feel this is important because it makes us look united and helps us with the aspects of excellence and spirit. 

Q: Do you feel more pressure than other NA student athletes due to the standard of excellence for tennis?

A: Yes, I would say that because the reputation is historic for NA tennis, I constantly feel a little more pressure than the average athlete. Also, because our school is known for tennis, many people come to NA for the tennis program, which adds more pressure because I know that I am playing with such talented athletes. Personally, when I feel pressure, I try to channel it positively on the court, instead of letting it get to my head.