Have you ever wondered which sport has been the most successful? Since the introduction of girls tennis, there has been at the very least one athlete who has been sent to state each year.
This year’s varsity team has shown its dominance with a 6-0 record so far, sweeping every match on the courts. From strong singles to coordinated doubles, there has been little room for opponents to gain the upper hand. This score shows the hard work that has been put into not just the matches but the practices as well with the hope of representing their team with pride.
From student to student, the way they play and think varies. Senior Yaquelin Hernandez-Solis said, “It’s an up and down roller coaster.” Hernandez-Solis is a Varsity player who has been a part of the girls tennis program for all four years and enjoys playing doubles because she has someone to help keep her calm. Junior Reese Purcell said, “Be willing to be teachable.” Purcell is a singles Varsity player who has played for three years. Her main goal for this year is to improve on singles. Sophomore Dixie Smick said, “Tennis is good in particular because of the long-lasting relationships you make with teammates and coaches.” This is Smick’s second year playing tennis, and her main goal is to win conference this year.
“Trying my best is my main goal,” freshman Ahida Mendez Mezo said. This is Mendez’s first year playing for the girls tennis program, but she plans on continuing it.
While the athletes play a major role in the program, the coaches are the ones to thank for their dedication. With expectations being high, giving it all in practice means it all to varsity coach Steve Johnson. Johnson said, “The most important part about tennis is putting effort in practice.” Johnson has been coaching for 33 years and hopes to add more plaques in the cafeteria for girls tennis. Relationships also help the students connect to the sport. “Relationships make the sport fun,” Coach Matt Gross said. Gross has been coaching boys tennis for 30 years and is on the ISHA board and appreciates the relationships that he has built with not just athletes but other coaches as well. “I love seeing the game click,” JV Coach Tracy O’Fallon said . O’Fallon has been coaching for 40 years and believes that the two most important parts about tennis are putting effort into practice and using your brain on the courts.
Compared to years prior, Varsity has shown strong improvement due to their record so far, this season being 6-0 and last year’s being 7-5.
The undefeated score highlights the team’s growth and determination to continue the tradition of sending one person to state each year and adding another win to the board of Tradition of Execellence.
While last year’s record shows effort from the team, this year’s flawless start proves that the team, as well as the coaches, have put in effort to raise the bar and achieve higher.
