The team starts competition in the over 100 degree heat of the relentless summers. Before the first day of school, the start tournament play. Their competition carries on through the brisk fall days, the sometimes cold days of the area’s unpredictable winter through the Texas spring filled with rain. The tennis experience may take a small break, but the training and competition really never stops.
Tennis is one of the few high school sports that compete all year. There is a fall season where the athletes play as a team, and the spring season where they play as individual or in doubles teams.
All this time training, competing and traveling, the players find themselves forming new bonds and a passion for their sport. In the player’s time between matches, they can create new friendships, learn more about their teammates and learn more about the sport of tennis.
“My favorite part of being on the tennis team is getting to interact with other people whether it is people on my team or others,” sophomore Ryan Jackson said. “I also enjoy traveling far away, and meeting new people from all over.”
The team will travel to Galveston this weekend for the Remember Ike tournament. This away trip is tradition for the team.
“I like the tournaments that we can go to, we all enjoy them, and the bonds that we make,” junior Jewel Steen said.
Tournaments can be an enjoyable learning experience. The players improve their game by learning from the playing time and improve their relationships with their teammates with all the time together as a team.
“Tennis tournaments are entertaining,” sophomore Adelle Ford said. “It is fun to hang out with friends and learn new things.”
Learning in school for most is unenjoyable, but in an extracurricular environment, people love it.
“I like playing tennis because I have made many friends,” freshman Sophie Rodrigues said. “I like playing in matches and learning more about tennis.”
Positive environments allow for greater development. No matter the outcome on the court, the tennis team has a great vibe on and off the court.
“We have a positive environment where we can all play and challenge ourselves to improve,” junior Shy-ane Colon said.
