How the power of positive thinking helped Lincoln School top Chariho in girls tennis

REHOBOTH, Mass. — So how has the Lincoln School girls tennis team gone from undefeated Division III champs to undefeated and atop the Division II standings this fall? 

By visualizing it. 

Call it cliché, call it cheesy, call it whatever you want because the method to the Lynx’s madness is clearly working.  

Lincoln School was at it again on Tuesday afternoon. Before its match against undefeated Chariho, the Lynx gathered in a circle, interlocked arms and began to visualize what they wanted to do. Maybe things didn’t go exactly to plan, but when Anona Joshi won her match at No. 4 singles, it gave Lincoln School the point it needed for a 4-3 win over the Chargers. 

“We were definitely nervous coming into this match, but we kind of have this mindset that we were doing in the preseason where we manifest the win,” said Geneva Brown, who picked up a win at No. 1 singles. “That’s what we were kind of aiming for [on Tuesday]. We were nervous, but we weren’t going to let it get to us.” 

“We knew they were going to be our hardest match, or one of them,” Joshi said shortly after her 6-3, 6-2 win. “They’re a really good team but I think we did our vision quest and we visualized a win before it and the team really came together and put their best foot forward.” 

Division III tennis champs

Last year the Lynx were undefeated Division III champs and the winning has just continued, although Monday was the first match of the season with any sense of drama. Lincoln School decimated the opposition in its first four matches, winning by a combined score of 25-3.  

Tuesday’s match started late as Chariho had to drop the field hockey team off in Tiverton before making the drive to Faxon Farm. Lincoln School players kept themselves loose on the court and shortly after lineups were introduced, gathered in their circle to visualize what needed to happen.  

It’s part positive thinking and part team bonding, but it’s really been a successful tool. With how the season has gone, there was no reason to stop before the biggest match of the early season. 

“The team is just more of a community this year,” Joshi said. “I think we’ve all grown as people and we’ve all come closer together and the coaches have been really supportive of us too. Visualizing success definitely helps.” 

Points came fast and furious. Despite playing with a  different lineup due to the absence of No. 3 singles player Sadie Grissom, the Chargers’ revamped bottom half of the ladder came through big. Chariho got wins at No. 1 doubles from Kaitlyn Daniels and Lily Jackson and the No. 2 team of Allison Cole and Sara Johnson grabbed a win at No. 2. 

Lincoln School took control in the singles matches. No. 3 Elizabeth Gardner earned the Lynx’s first point and wins by Brown and Kyra DiBiase soon followed. Up 3-2 with No. 3 doubles just beginning their match — and Chariho’s Olivia Marchione and Victoria St. Onge winning the first set — it was clear Joshi’s battle with Faith Owren was where things would be decided.  

Joshi battled tough despite not having her A-game. She fought for consistency and came away with a 6-3 win in her first set. Seeing teammates walk off with wins fed her full of positivity and, as she picked up her service game, it enabled her to close out the second set, 6-2, to earn the point that mattered. 

“I kind of felt out of rhythm so my teammates were definitely a big part of me winning, and my coaches, too,” Joshi said. “Peeking around gives you that ‘hey, you got this’ final push.” 

Chariho took the loss in stride. The Chargers were playing shorthanded, dealt with the bussing issues and still battled to the final match. Losing served two purposes — it let Chariho know there’s still a lot to work on, but also gives the Chargers confidence that they can play with anyone in Division II. 

Could that mean Chariho will contend for a title? It’s not out of the conversation. 

“I think it’s reasonable with our lineup,” Chariho No. 1 Emily Ballard said. “It’s kind of a wakeup call because we played better in the beginning and now it’s like we need to get focused for the playoffs and everything.  

“We definitely think we can and we’re really focused. During practice, we talk about it. We still have fun, but we definitely talk about winning.” 

Lincoln School does as well. Tuesday’s win is only going to add to its already skyrocketing confidence. The Lynx will try to go to 6-0 on Wednesday when they play Classical before taking on a tough South Kingstown team on Friday.  

“For me personally, it really helps to take it one step at a time,” Joshi said. “Because if I get too far ahead of myself, then it’s easy to lose track and lose focus, so I think that’s what we’re trying to do.” 

“We were undefeated last year so especially now — this is our [fifth] match — we’re definitely trying to keep that going,” Brown said. “After the second match, we were like guys, we see it, D-II champs, but we’ll see how it goes.”