For Kluck and Arnavut, they leave behind a very illustrious high school career, with neither of them losing in a single match in their last two years of play, and Kluck only losing two matches in her entire four year varsity career. For Kluck, her senior season was about fixing one last flaw in her game: Getting to the ball.

“I wanted to challenge myself to get to every ball. I think I succeeded,” Kluck said.

Succeeding is a bit of an understatement, given her undefeated record on the season, but as her high school tennis chapter ends she can take away a few different life lessons her years playing tennis at Fredonia has taught her.

“Persistence, not giving up, and grit. Sophomore and junior year I had some really tough matches that I just had to stay in them, and I won them. I think I’ve progressed and missed less. It’s been so much fun being on the team,” Kluck said.

OBSERVER Photos by Anthony Dolce Fredonia’s Selin Arnavut returns the ball in a singles match against Southwestern on Thursday night.

Despite her success, Kluck, who was the manager in eighth grade and was on the team her four years of high school, said she never put too much pressure on herself, a sentiment echoed by that of her teammates, given that coach Lisa Johnston just wants her kids to love the game.

“I’ve only lost two games all of high school. I don’t put much pressure on myself, and as long as I’m happy with it, I’m good,” Kluck said.

Kluck’s sentiments were echoed specifically by Arnavut, who like Kluck, learned a thing or two about patience.

“I’ve learned two things. Like Alicia said, persistence. Even if you’re losing you can start winning again. Once you give up, that’s it. There’s no coming back from giving up. The other thing is supporting the team. Staying here and supporting everyone else just feels good. Whenever I would finish a match before anyone else, or vice versa, it’s nice to stay and support everyone,” Arnavut said.

Arnavut, who started playing tennis in general about five years ago, and like Kluck has been on the varsity team for her last four years is also grateful for the opportunity to play, and leave a little piece of herself behind at her school.

“It was a good start to the school year, I got to meet a bunch of new people and make new friends. I would’ve never met some of these freshman and sophomores coming up and it was really nice to teach them things I knew too. It’s like leaving a part of me here in a sense,” Arnavut said.

The no-pressure atmosphere is something that Arnavut appreciated about the program too, though she didn’t let that keep her from trying to do her best on the court.

“Let’s be real, it’s fun to play, but it’s better to win. But there’s no pressure to win to stay on the team. We’re here to play for fun but if we want to win, we can do that too. It’s a good atmosphere here,” Arnavut said.

And win Arnavut did, as she, like Kluck, hasn’t dropped a match this season, with only one match to go in her final season. Playing as the team’s third singles player, she knows sticking to basics is the key to success.

“It’s mainly keeping the ball in the court but if you have a chance, take that chance. You don’t want to be the one hitting out,” Arnavut said.

With the departures of Burr, Kluck, and Arnavut, Fredonia looks to rebuild with a coach in Johnston who has a very decorated coaching pedigree and their number one singles player in Bernie Gens, who will return for her senior season next year, which puts pressure on her to step into a leadership role.

“I think I will step into a leadership role. I’m excited to see who comes in and what happens even after I leave. I’ve seen five people go, and it always just brings in new people to meet,” Gens said.

For Johnston, she’ll have to rely on Gens with the amount of turn over her team will have, and she knows next year may be a bit of a rebuild.

“Next year will be a building year probably, the girls we’re losing will be hard to replace. Alicia would be first singles on any other team. It’s been a good run. I’m hoping over the winter, some of the new girls get coaching lessons. Bernie’s mom is a coach, and some of our girls have contacted her,” Johnston said.

Gens’ mom, Jane, was responsible for the early coaching of Arnavut and Kluck, along with Gens, which is something Johnston feels fortunate for, as most of the specialized sports don’t have feeder programs.

“Every kid plays soccer when they’re five, but no one plays tennis in elementary school or middle school. We’re very fortunate to have Jane around. She’s awesome and I’m very fortunate to have that feeder program,” Johnston said.

Johnson has begun her own recruiting search. As the P.E. teacher, she gets access to a lot of the girls who aren’t playing other sports. Her players helped out as well, as the older players on the team were convincing their classmates to come try out, bumping up the numbers on Fredonia’s team to the highest they’ve been. Despite being mid season and on the verge of graduating, Arnavut is still trying to convince people to spread the word.

“Whatever age you are, you can start playing. It’s such a great community. My mom started playing the same time I did and at first I really didn’t want to. But I tried it and I love it. You meet new people and have a good time,” Arnavut said.

Trying to sweep their entire schedule, the ‘Billies (9-0) play their final match at Chautauqua Lake on Tuesday.