Tennis team plays on

Men’s and Women’s Tennis has begun their fall season with Men’s up 4:1 and Women’s at 1:4 as of the first week in September. The girls beat Basic and lost to Boulder City, Legacy, and Eldorado. The boys are undefeated against those schools. So far, they have had two home matches and two away. 

“So far it’s going pretty well,” said Matthew Philips, tennis coach. “I think we’re playing to the maximum of our ability.” 

This year’s teams have many beginners, with much of the team last year graduating. There are still six returning players in Men’s Tennis, but only three in Women’s. Beginners are learning a lot of fundamentals important to being competitive in matches. 

“I feel like it’s hard to get started with a new sport that you’re not very familiar with and a lot of people around you are very familiar with,” said senior Te’yah Graham. “It’s also very hot.”

Playing tennis requires dedication. Players practice for two hours every day practicing serving, returning serves and being able to move quickly on their feet to get to a place to hit the ball. Temperatures often rise over 100 F, with increased humidity lately. 

Despite the challenges, the teams play on, “knowing that the most important thing is to have fun,” said senior Daniella Elge. “As long as I have fun, that’s all that matters.”