The sound of tennis balls hitting the rackets, silence fills the air as we watch the team determined to win their way to state.

For players on the team, such as Jennifer Nelson (‘26), playing tennis helps form lifelong relationships and good sportsmanship.

“It has helped me be able to strengthen my mentality and I have also met some friends that I will have for life,” Nelson said.

Tennis for players such as Audrey Talley (‘25) has helped build confidence and self-expression, as well as getting more involved at school.

“Tennis has helped me get out of my comfort zone and make me more open to new opportunities and being more social,” Talley said. “It has let me get into the school sport environment.”

Sports have helped people find new friendships that help them be the best they can be and feel like home.

Moreover, players on the tennis team such as Celine Edstrom (25) favor how even on bad days you can always have a second chance.

“It feels kinda like another family (because) everyone gets along pretty well, and we support each other,” Edstrom said.

“I (also) like how its individual and team at the same time. I play both singles and doubles, so if I do bad in one I have a chance to do better in the other one.”

As a new season starts new tennis players join the team which contributes to new friendships. Daisy Carroll (‘25) loves working with the other girls to build her self esteem and motivation.

“(My favorite thing about tennis is) getting to know everybody,” Edstrom said. “Trust your skill and not get too into your head because you already have the skill you just have to use it.”

Coaches in all sports work with their team every week to improve everyone’s skill.

Although nobody is perfect and everyone makes mistakes, learning from mistakes is how people learn.

“Don’t be scared to mess up because you’re definitely going to mess up,” Carroll said. “Even the best people mess up at tennis.”