As the new school year began, so did the intense tryouts for the THS varsity tennis team. Among those hoping to make the cut were a group of eager freshmen, ready to prove their place on the team despite competing against more experienced players.
While many of the upperclassmen were familiar with the competitive environment, these freshmen had to adjust quickly to the demands of varsity-level tennis. Despite their years of experience, joining the varsity team as a freshman came with its own challenges.
“The most challenging part about being a freshman on the team is holding to the standards,” freshman Addie Blue said. “And expectations of those who have been playing longer than me.”
Just coming into high school and not understanding how the school and the workload run can be hard when playing a sport. Being new to the team is a challenging experience; however, understanding why you are there holds a remarkable realization.
“I would say the hardest part about being a freshman on varsity is time management. With school, tennis, and my personal life, it has been a lot to get used to,” freshman Sarah Williamson said. “One thing I have learned is even once you meet your goal, the work doesn’t stop, and you set new goals.”
Pressure on the court can be overwhelming, especially for freshmen stepping into the varsity level for the first time.
“Staying calm and putting each point behind me, no matter if it’s good or bad.” Chapel Telg said. “I never know what is going to happen next and need to be prepared,”.
Transitioning to varsity life isn’t just about playing well on the court, though. The freshmen on varsity have learned to push themselves both mentally and physically to meet the high standards of the team while continuing to grow as players.
“Some advice that I have for future freshmen wanting to join the team is that you should always put in 100% effort even if you don’t feel like it,” Telg said. “The team is always there to cheer you on so you want to make your playing the best you can.”
