This school year, there is no better way than to start off with Lana Jepsen, the girls’ varsity tennis team captain! Well praised by her teachers and peers, her accomplishments remain impressive throughout her high school career. With hard work, dedication, and a positive attitude, Lana not only leads her team on the court but also inspires those around her to strive for excellence.
Although she is an outstanding doubles player and teammate her senior year, it was not an easy journey to get here. Before taking up tennis, she had tried various sports, including soccer, basketball, volleyball, gymnastics, and dance. “But I never enjoyed much past elementary school and never stayed with anything long enough to join a serious team.”
Jepsen started playing tennis before freshman year at a club that did not even have a full court. Inspired by her father, she thought it would be a cool sport to try, hoping it would become a “lifetime sport” and that she could play with her dad.
In her freshman year, she tried out for the tennis team and did not make the cut. Although she was upset, “it was the first time I had ever cared enough to try out for something like that, and the first time I had been rejected in that way.” Even though the girls who initially tried out with her could not join her on the team, Lana persevered. Jepsen then joined a club she enjoyed in Franklin Lakes after countless less optimal options.
Staying committed, she made the team in her sophomore year! “I was so incredibly happy. After really floating from sport to sport my whole life, it was so incredible to finally love playing a sport and see my work pay off.” Even though she made the team, she was ultimately disappointed to learn that she would not be starting. She did not really enjoy the season and was frustrated with her position as an alternate, which allowed her to play only one or two matches.
Next season, she remained committed to training and had the drive to make this season even better. After trying out, she became a second-team court doubles player and JV captain. “It was an entirely new experience, and I absolutely loved my junior season. Being captain was so much fun, and I really made an effort to make the team a really warm and supportive environment, knowing how disappointed I had felt as an alternate the season prior.” Lana says, “it was definitely weird to be a junior on JV when some of my peers were on varsity, but I was just proud of being there.”
Her character shines both as a captain, teammate, and friend. Her friend, Katherine Kuhe, says, “Lana is one of the most driven and hard-working people I have ever met, both on and off the tennis courts. Her ability to bring people together and make others feel special consistently impresses me. On top of that, she’s both an amazing friend and role model.”
In Jepsen’s senior year, she finally made varsity! She says that it was a massive jump from JV and was a big adjustment. She was chosen to be captain again in her senior year and played second doubles. She says, “If you were to ask me as a freshman, or even a sophomore, I never would have thought I could make varsity, let alone play.”
She did not just play. Lana, along with her doubles partner, Marisa Christian, played in ten matches throughout the tennis season. Of those ten matches, she played in two of them as first doubles. A notable match was against Passaic Tech, two challenging games, resulting in a 4-6 loss, but coming back strong in the second game, 6-4, ultimately winning the whole match in an exciting 10-5 super tiebreaker. Another outstanding game comes from the 6-0, 6-0 shutout against Paramus. One of her biggest accomplishments this year came in the 2025 Counties Tournament, where she and her partner were the only court from Ramapo’s team to make it to the quarter finals after a 6-0, 6-0 match against Fort Lee.
The girls’ varsity tennis coach, Coach Hausman, comments on Lana’s tennis career: “It was Lana’s first year on Varsity, and she was a team captain. Lana and her doubles partner had a successful season, with one highlight being winning their first-round match in the county tournament. Lana also provided strong leadership and organization for the team, and I thank her for that and wish her a great senior year.”
Outside of tennis, Lana is very heavily involved and holds many other leadership positions. Last year, she co-founded Ramapo’s P.A.W.: Ramapo Pet & Animal Welfare Club, striving to raise awareness, supplies, and funds for animals in need. The club advisor, Mr. Hedges, says, “Lana Jepsen is an outstanding student and very much committed to compassion. As the co-founder of Ramapo Pet & Animal Welfare Club (P.A.W.), she has taken the initiative to help animals in need. Not only does she care for the welfare of animals, but she also does everything she can to make sure that everyone else in this school, with the same benevolence, has the opportunity to do their part.”
Lana ends by saying, “I am so grateful for tennis, and it truly taught me to work hard and stay determined. As someone who never considered myself a serious athlete, the progress I have made has definitely taught me what I can do if I put my mind to it. Next year in college, I absolutely want to play club tennis.”
Congratulations on a great high school career and good luck in college!
