Emily Lee, PAVA District 9
Hit, return, repeat.
I am currently a junior varsity player for the Sunny Hills High School tennis team. Although JV typically does not receive the same amount of respect and acknowledgment as varsity does, being a JV tennis player has contributed to my athletic development, teamwork, and personal growth in a competitive environment.
Currently, my team and I practice every day of the week unless the coach has an emergency. I find myself dreading these practices often, especially since I have to play in overwhelming heat. However, playing daily has not only improved my strokes and footwork, but also taught me discipline. I now understand that consistency and integrity are vital factors that should be regarded when trying to develop in a sport.
Moreover, tennis practices have introduced me to new people that I would have never met outside of the sport. The environment in general is supportive and understanding, which has allowed me to create close bonds with my teammates. Whether we win or lose, my team and I uplift and help each other, fostering camaraderie that evolves into tight friendships.
Lastly, the competitive aspect of JV is one of the most exhilarating aspects of being on the team. The atmosphere on match days is thrilling but tense. Each match presents unique challenges that are special to my opponents’ playing styles and personalities. I have dealt with aggressive hitting, disagreements about the score, unfair line calls, and simply smooth, undisturbed matches. These different experiences have elicited many emotions for me, including frustration and happiness, all of which make up the player that I am today.
In addition, the back and forth pattern of winning and losing matches have taken the largest toll on my emotional strength, especially in my freshman year. Winning matches undoubtedly built and still builds my confidence and comfortability on the court. However, whenever I would lose a match, I would feel immense disappointment and sadness; there were many times when I refused to accept the loss. After having my fair share of losses, I eventually realized that losing is just as part of the game as winning is. Instead, I now reflect on my losses to identify areas of improvement, whether it is perfecting my serve or working on my mental toughness during critical points in a match.
Overall, being a part of my high school’s JV tennis team has been an enriching experience filled with opportunities for skill development, sisterhood, and personal growth. It not only lays the foundation for future athletic pursuits, but also imparts essential life skills that extend beyond high school sports.
