Athletics & Activities Newsletter
Volume 4 | November | 2025
The Providence Hall Girls Tennis Team wrapped up one of its strongest and most inspiring seasons yet, earning multiple state qualifiers and seeing two doubles teams advance deep into the tournament.
Competing in a tough new region, the team rose to every challenge through determination, teamwork, and the steady guidance of Coach Ryan Nelson.
From the first practice to the final match, Coach Nelson’s positivity and calm presence made all the difference. Lyla Cabarcas, who played doubles this season, shared, “Coach Nelson has helped me improve so much as a player and a partner. He’s so patient and kind, and he can always make me feel better after a bad match. I learned to deal with my mental blocks and stay positive. ‘Don’t say you’re sorry’ and ‘don’t say you can’t’ were the things he said most—and they completely changed my mindset.”
For Halle Francis, this was her first year playing singles on varsity, a challenge that tested her both mentally and emotionally. “Singles can feel lonely, but Coach Nelson always helped me get out of that funk,” she said. “He reminded me that losses don’t define you as a player or as a person. And when I struggled, my teammates were there for me too. That’s what I love about this team, we show up for each other.”
Lhayaa Premkishore said that moving into a tougher region at first seemed daunting, but the team’s progress exceeded all expectations. “He not only focused on our technique but also on our mindset,” she said. “That helped me stay positive and push further. By the end of the season, I truly enjoyed every match, wins and losses included. I’m so proud of how far we all came.”
For Lillian Colasurdo, the team’s success was rooted in their coach’s belief in them. “Coach Nelson pushed us to do things we never thought we could, like making it to state,” she said. “He was there smiling when we won and when we lost. He wasn’t just our coach, he’s someone we all look up to as a person. The season wouldn’t have been what it was without him.”
Emelia Fry echoed that gratitude, saying, “Coach Nelson has helped me so much this season, he’s one of the best coaches I’ve ever had for any sport. He’s patient and kind and helps each person individually with what they’re struggling with. He always tells us he’s proud of us while encouraging us to do our best. I’ve learned and improved so much from what he’s taught me, and I love every girl on the team. Going to state was amazing, and I loved playing with Lyla again this year.”
Coach Nelson, in turn, expressed how deeply this season has meant to him. “The most rewarding part was sharing the journey, the smiles, laughter, sweat, and even the tears,” he said. “I may have four boys at home, but this season, I’ve gained ten daughters. This group has heart, grit, and a relentless desire to compete. They’ve built a culture that values hard work, positivity, and never giving up.”
Through grit, gratitude, and a shared love for the game, the Providence Hall Girls Tennis Team proved that their greatest victory wasn’t just advancing at state, it was growing together under the guidance of a coach who reminded them every day to believe in themselves and never say they can’t.
