Build It and They Will Come

Faded colors, bent fence, and cracks in the court are some of the defects with the school tennis court. The tennis team deserves a nice court in which they feel comfortable and confident playing on. Sophomore Justine Cantor said, “The tennis courts aren’t as bad as ones in other schools but it does need some work, because there’s weeds growing out of the cracks from the ground.”

Despite the defects in the tennis court, the tennis team was up and running and played their hardest this year. The West High Tennis Team is a fun and entertaining activity. The girls on the tennis team enjoy playing tennis and competing with other schools. “ When I win a game I feel accomplished and satisfied with myself, “ said sophomore Alison Whited. Even if they lose to their opponents they enjoy having the opportunity to play tennis, but they would enjoy it more if they walked away with the satisfaction of wining the game with a nice clean court. Alison Whited said,“ It would make us look good, as well as the school.”

The tennis team works hard practicing for the season all summer long. Tennis is a fall sport so you have to take time out of your summer vacation to attended practice.  Most people don’t want to give up summer vacation to practice, but towards the end it’s all worth it. You get to spend time with your friends while playing tennis.  Tennis is more then just throwing a ball up in the air and hitting it with your tennis racket. There is much more to it than what most people believe. Most people believe that tennis is very easy and that there’s nothing really to it. Tennis requires you to work out your legs and arms a lot so you are required to stay in shape.

“All Girls are welcome to join even if you have no tennis experience whatsoever, “ said Coach Jim Murray. Just like any other sport you must be able to keep track of your score and must know the rules of the game. You have to pay attention to your opponents’ moves as well as the ball.

You choose whether you want to play doubles, which means you play with a partner, or single. Most girls choose doubles because they believe that it’s less work. Singles and doubles are to way different things, as a double you have a wider court space and you have someone to back you up so it’s less work.  Unlike girls who like more of a challenge, those go for singles where they work with a smaller space and have to be on guard at all times. “ It’s not that hard it’s just that you have to run a lot," Justine Cantor said, “ and make sure you do a lot of things right and at the same time you have to stay focused on the game.”

With the record of 8-1 this season the tennis team is hoping to go to the City Championship next year. “Next year's team is going to be one of the best in the district,” Coach Murray said. “This summer we are going to work hard so that we can be undefeated and play in the City Championship. We have a great Varsity and JV team and we would love to take on some new girls.”

Junior Theresa Baker pactices her serve and strikes for the next game the team plays. All that hard work payed off when she became 1st team singles all-city.

Justien Cantor in postion getting ready to play against Eastmoor Academy.With her and her partnets' hard work the team won the game against the Eastmoor Tennis Team.

In the air as high as she can go, junior Nacy Sy goes in to stop the ball. She as well as Theresa were 1st team singles all-city. With her help the team beat Independence.