brad.spiegel@waylandpost.org
Lai, one of four captains for the Warriors and a four-year player on the WHS tennis program, was also the first to make the new varsity members feel comfortable at the start of the season, or to pump up a teammate when they were down after a bad match or a difficult day.
It may sound like Lai was named captain because she came into the season with tons of experience and she’s now imparting her knowledge, expertise, and ability to the younger players. But while she’s in the top 10 on the Warriors team, she doesn’t play in varsity matches. It’s the respect from both her coaches and teammates that has earned her the role of captain.
“Her leadership, personality, character, and her constant upbeat demeanor are outstanding,” said coach Jason Tassinari. “She always has a team-first attitude. Her story is very unique in that she doesn’t necessarily lead from how she does in matches. I mean this very, very seriously — and this is something I don’t take lightly — in all of my years of coaching, both tennis and soccer, she is one of the most outstanding individuals from a character standpoint and a demeanor standpoint.”
Talk to Lai for a couple of minutes and you can clearly see why she was named captain along with Yumi Niimi, Ava Knourenko, and Emi Niimi. She exudes positivity, sees a silver lining to any situation, and she is genuinely happy the majority of the time.
“Honestly, I don’t focus on the fact that I don’t play [for points in matches],” Lai said. “I like to focus on all the things that I’m so thankful that the tennis team has brought me — the coaches spend so much time to make the team such a great place to be, and for all of my teammates who also show up. By thinking about those great things, it really doesn’t make me feel sad that I’m not playing.”
Another trait she‘s brought to the team is setting an example for her teammates that goes beyond the court.
“The biggest thing she’s done is model for the other players the inherent value of being in a program and knowing your place,” Tassinari said. “She accepts her role, she is coachable, and she is selfless and not selfish.
“I think she has always shown the younger players that you can have the title of captain and not come along with a sense of entitlement,” he continued “She’s willing to do what needs to be done. And she is imposing that on her teammates. She wants them to be good people and teammates first.”
One of co-captains noted that Lai is not fake and that everything she does is genuine.
“I think it’s really important to have a leader like her because she sets a good example to everyone on the team,” Yumi Niimi said. “Her positivity and encouragement really lift the team. Kira is a very humble and hardworking person, and she’s really kind-hearted. She is one of the nicest and most generous people I know, and overall a really good person.”
Tassinari said Lai is a solid doubles player and probably would start on many other teams. But with only seven spots open per match (three singles and two doubles) and being part of such a strong program — the Warriors lost 3-2 in last year’s MIAA Division 2 state championship to undefeated Longmeadow — Lai is not the only talented Warrior who’s watching varsity matches on the sideline.
“Three years ago when I started coaching, Kira was in the bottom third of the team and she’s been able to work her way up to the middle third,” Tassinari said. “I’m sure I will reference her every year down the road. To me, she’s the poster child for what you want in a captain on and off the court. She’ll leave a lasting impression on this program largely because of who she is and what she stands for — she can play the game but is a better person.”
Lai started playing piano when she was three or four and said it was her “main focus” until she started tennis when she was 10. She stopped tennis for a bit around the time of the Covid pandemic before she decided to manage multiple activities. She’s certainly doing that now, having performed two concertos with the Wayland High School Orchestra.
“I want to come in every day and bring joy to the people around me,” Lai said. “I know that sometimes school days are tiring, but I hope that when people come to tennis, we’ll be able to feel refreshed and happy.”
