Tennis Program's Prevailing Season

by Mason von Jess '19

Hotchkiss tennis dominated the 2026 season, going 42-3 as a program across all six teams during the regular season. Both boys and girls varsity squads won their Founders League title outright, touting replica 8-0 league records under the leadership of Tennis Program Director Edgar Giffenig, and Head Coaches Josh Smith (boys) and Maja Clark P’28 (girls). Their parallel 11-1 regular season records were powered by immaculate doubles play, dynamic camaraderie, positive leadership, and regaining early-season access to the William and Martha Ford Indoor Tennis Courts, which had been offline since 2023 to accommodate the construction of the new Dining Commons.

Hotchkiss is firmly among the most competitive tennis programs over the past 20 years, for both boys and girls, winning a combined eight NEPSAC Championships (three boys, five girls) and regularly qualifying for the tournament. However, the blanket of overall consistency is sewn with the stories of each individual season. And during the breakpoint moments this Spring, the Bearcats broke through, highlighted by girls varsity tennis’ run to the NEPSAC Finals.

For boys varsity tennis, this season was a storyline of redemption. After not qualifying for the post-season for the first time since 2018 last year, the team leaned on senior play to navigate an early season gauntlet. Opening up with five matches in 10 days, the team built confidence that led into a 4-3 victory over perennial powerhouse, Hopkins, for the first time in recent memory in match #6. Their momentum continued, carrying an undefeated record into match #11 at Deerfield. They lost 4-3 in a midweek classic that featured multiple super tiebreakers. Not for naught, the heartbreak fueled the team in their next match, defeating Choate 4-3 in the regular season finale, and de facto Founders League Championship, to secure both the league title and #5 seed in the NEPSAC Class A Tournament.

Coach Smith highlighted both the internal competition for lineup positions and the players’ ability to embrace their role and support one another on match days, a clear ingredient for their success in tight matches. The capacity for adversity was a skill already conquered for some. “I want to recognize the work of Coach Dave Werner and the JV program. Over the past several years, a number of JV players have successfully moved into varsity roles (including captaincy!). I believe the meaningful opportunities to develop is one of the strengths of our tennis program,” Smith remarked.

Girls varsity tennis had their own cadence to the season, summarized as steady progression. The team’s lone regular season blemish came early, during match #3 against a formidable Hoosac squad. Besides that, the team cruised in April, earning 62 of a possible 63 points in their seven wins. During their pivotal match #9 at Greenwich Academy, the team proved they could deliver in the clutch moments, winning 5-4 in a super tiebreaker. They followed that with another 5-4 victory at Taft in match #11, learning the adjustments needed for post-season play while still stacking wins to secure the league title.

Girls tennis has qualified for the NEPSAC Class A Tournament every year since 2015 but has not advanced past the quarterfinals since 2019. This playoff run was different as #2 Hotchkiss cruised past Loomis Chaffee 5-0 in the first round and handled #3 Hopkins 5-2 in the semifinals before ultimately finishing as runner-up to #1 Phillips Andover. Coach Clark said the team fully engaged in the process and was dedicated to putting in extra work as a group. Their résumé in tight matches and confidence in one another spurred an enthralling journey.

“As the team became closer as trusted friends and teammates, their tennis kept finding new gears. It was very exciting to see it come together. We also peaked in intensity and ability right at the end of the season when it mattered most,” remarked Clark. “It was a memorable season not only because of the result, but how we got there. The success came on the backs of each and every player.”