When the final point is won and the crowd erupts in cheers, it’s not just another victory for the varsity tennis team — it’s a shared triumph between sisters.
For Irisa Poompanit, ‘26 and Perasa Poompanit, ‘27, tennis is more than a sport; it’s the thread that ties their bond tighter with every serve, rally and match. The Poompanit sisters bring not just talent to the court, but a powerful chemistry that’s redefining what teamwork looks like this season.
“I actually quit playing tennis my junior year, but I decided to come back my SENIOR year, and part of it was because I wanted to play with Perasa for one last time,” Irisa Poompanit said.
During that gap year, Perasa Poompanit worked hard and became a better player with her sister’s help from the side. The time apart gave each sister an important period of time to improve themselves, emotionally and physically.
“Seeing my sister put in the work for herself, seeing that she wants to get better for her own rather than for other people, made me want to come back and help support her and her goals,” Irisa Poompanit said.
The sisters build off of each other’s advice to secure wins and support each other through losses.
“It is just so nice to have someone [that] I can talk to that understands what I’m talking about, because she’s been through it too,” Irisa Poompanit said. “We can give each other advice or just reminisce on funny or challenging moments.”
Photo with permission from Headline Sports
As the eldest sister, Irisa Poompanit began playing first, learning tennis with a helping hand from her father. While tennis hadn’t run in the family, the sisters and their father built their skills alongside each other.
“My dad played a lot of tennis with his friend, so one day I decided to join him. After that, it kind of became a father-daughter bonding thing,” Irisa Poompanit said.
Due to the experience playing tennis with their dad, Irisa Poompanit and Perasa Poompanit became more enthusiastic and optimistic towards playing tennis.
“I think it is more enjoyable than anything,” Irisa Poompanit said. “I only play with [Peresa] in doubles for tournaments… [and] I think her energy brings a lot of joy to the team in general, not just me.”
Their contagious and infatuating energy was just one of the ways the tennis team accomplished achievements throughout the season, as both sisters moved onto districts and the women’s varsity team as a whole won the Eastern Cincinnati Conference (ECC).
Both sisters find themselves consumed in many after school activities, work and clubs. However, the tennis team brought them more bonding time despite their busy schedules.
“The only time I really do hang out with her is on the tennis court, so I guess it’s just a good sister bonding time now,” Irisa Poompanit said.
The sisters hope to have a successful last season together before Irisa Poompanit graduates.
“My SENIOR year is the most fun I ever had with both high school tennis and my entirety playing tennis,” Irisa Poompanit said. “I got to be close to people I would never have gotten the chance to meet if it weren’t for tennis, and I got to spend some time on the court with my sister.”