The Newton South girls varsity tennis team entered the postseason as the number one seed in Division 1. And through the first two playoff rounds, they look like they belong at the top, having dispatched Cambridge Rindge & Latin and then Newton North without dropping a set.

“Being ranked number one is a reward for all the hard work during the season,” says South head coach Noura Guermazi. “I think the girls love it, and I think they totally deserve it.”

South amassed a 13-1 record this spring, with their sole loss coming against Boston Latin School, who came into the tournament seeded third. Aside from that hiccup, the team only dropped three sets throughout the season. Their top three singles players—Olivia Whitaker, Manel Guermazi and Nika Presayzen—won 41 of 42 individual matches played.

Throughout, Guermazi has enjoyed leading this talented group of hitters, many of whom are juniors.

“One thing I really appreciate is that they always show up for practice, they are always ready to work,” she says. “Even when it rains and we do a practice inside. We never have a day off.”

The success of the team goes beyond players’ individual skills and talents between the lines. Guermazi says that they are a tight group who genuinely like each other, and who root for each other’s success on the court. This camaraderie drives them to try to play better and play harder every match.

“It really brings our tennis to another level,” she says. South was already a strong program, having made it to the final four in last spring’s tournament. But this year saw the return of Whitaker, now a junior, who took a gap year from South in 2024-25 in order to train and play in USTA tournaments.

“I just wanted to see where I could get if I took a year off and see if I could maybe get a little bit better,” says Whitaker, who has been playing in the number one singles spot this season.

Returning to the South team and competing with her peers has been a meaningful experience.

“The team atmosphere is so different from USTA tournaments,” she says. “It really just brings back the love of the game. It’s so fun to be playing with a team and having everyone behind you cheering for you.”

And about the number one seed? Whitaker likes the pressure and is looking forward to seeing how the team does.

“We definitely have a target on our back but we are really excited for the challenge,” she says. “We’ve been training really hard and we’re ready for it.”

MORE IMAGES

The Newton South girls tennis team entered the MIAA Division I tournament as the number 1 overall seed. (c) Burt Granofsky/Newton Beacon

Head coach Noura Guermazi has enjoyed seeing her players compete with and for each other this season. “When I see the camaraderie they have it fills me with joy,” she says. (c) Burt Granofsky/Newton Beacon

Sienna Soloroza and Emily Zhu strategize during a doubles match. (c) Burt Granofsky/Newton Beacon

Olivia Whitaker hits a return. The Newton South junior took a gap year in 2024-25 to train and play USTA tournaments. “The team atmosphere is so different from USTA tournaments,” she says. “It really just brings back the love of the game.” (c) Burt Granofsky/Newton Beacon

Olivia Whitaker smiles during a changeover. (c) Burt Granofsky/Newton Beacon

Nika Presayzen hits a return during a singles match against Newton North. (c) Burt Granofsky/Newton Beacon

Guermazi and Whitaker share a happy moment after each won their singles match against Newton North on June 1, 2026. (c) Burt Granofsky/Newton Beacon