Cony Girls Tennis Team Adapts to Windy Conditions During Practice

Cony players focus on footwork drills and adjust their play style to handle the blustery weather.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 10:36pm

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An abstract expressionist painting in neon colors, with rapid brushstrokes capturing the dynamic movements and energy of a girls tennis practice session, the players' forms dissolving into unrecognizable shapes and splatters.The Cony High School girls tennis team embraces the windy conditions and high energy of their practice session, with players' movements captured in a vibrant expressionist style.Augusta Today

The Cony High School girls tennis team held a practice session on a windy day in Augusta, Maine, where they focused on footwork drills to improve their movement and adaptability on the court. The team's top players, Kira Gregor and Lilah Goldey, discussed the challenges of hitting the ball in the strong winds and the need to play more conservatively. The practice also featured a curated playlist of 2010s pop hits, including the appropriately titled 'Tennis Court' by Lorde.

Why it matters

Adapting to changing weather conditions is a crucial skill for high school tennis players, as they often have to compete in a variety of weather situations throughout the season. The Cony girls tennis team's focus on footwork drills and strategic adjustments to their play style demonstrates their commitment to developing well-rounded players who can perform at a high level regardless of the weather.

The details

During the windy practice session, the Cony girls tennis team worked on a cone drill that challenged their footwork, requiring them to shuffle past one cone, then behind it, and then hit a shot. This drill was designed to improve the players' agility and responsiveness on the court. The strong winds also prompted the team to adjust their approach, with senior Lilah Goldey advising her teammates to 'be safer with your balls and not go for too much' to avoid the ball being carried away by the gusts.

  • The practice session took place on Thursday, April 9, 2026.

The players

Kira Gregor

A junior and the No. 1 singles player for the Cony girls tennis team, who missed all of last season due to an ACL tear but is now happy to be able to move and play again.

Lilah Goldey

A senior and the No. 2 singles player for the Cony girls tennis team, who discussed the need to adjust their play style to handle the windy conditions.

Kirk Cooper

The head coach of the Cony girls tennis team, who has emphasized footwork drills this spring to help his players improve their movement on the court.

Olivia Folsom

A junior on the Cony girls tennis team who, along with senior Lucy Lord, was responsible for curating the team's practice playlist.

Lucy Lord

A senior on the Cony girls tennis team who, along with junior Olivia Folsom, was responsible for curating the team's practice playlist.

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What they’re saying

“It's so cool to be able to move that quickly again and to be able to use those skills not just in a drill but in a match.”

— Kira Gregor, Junior and No. 1 singles player

“(It's about) just being safer with your balls and not going for too much. With the wind, if you hit it flat, it's going to take it flying.”

— Lilah Goldey, Senior and No. 2 singles player

“'Tennis Court' by Lorde. That's so appropriate.”

— Kira Gregor, Junior and No. 1 singles player

What’s next

The Cony girls tennis team will continue to focus on footwork and adaptability in their upcoming practices as they prepare for the start of the regular season.

The takeaway

The Cony girls tennis team's ability to adjust their play style and focus on fundamental skills like footwork during a windy practice session demonstrates their commitment to developing well-rounded players who can perform at a high level in a variety of conditions. This adaptability will serve them well as they navigate the challenges of the upcoming high school tennis season.