Tennis is much more than hitting a ball over a netted fence back and forth. It consists of a close group of students who support and encourage each other. They have been working to make this their best season yet.

“I consider my team to be my second family,” senior Julia Chung said. “Everyone takes care of each other and looks out for one another both on and off the court.”

The team has been practicing non-stop for their fall season to win their 15 straight District title, and to win another Regional title and make their way to the State tournament.

“When it comes to tennis, the ‘season’ never really ends,” Chung said. “We have practice every day during the school year and have organized practices over the summer as well, but fall season is what we try to prepare for the most.”

The team has had some close games this season, but they have succeeded in the end.

“Our season has been going really well so far,” junior Divya Manohar said. “We’ve beaten Southlake Carroll in extremely close matches. We are preparing for districts and are hoping to go to State and bring home a title.”

Many of the players on the team have actively played this sport since they were little kids.

“I’ve been playing tennis for 10 years,” junior Alyssa Grubstein said. “My mom played tennis so I played after her.”

Being on top of academics and being committed to a sport is crucial in order for the team to succeed.

“Balancing tennis and school work has always been extremely tough, since I’m dedicated to both and we miss a lot of school for tennis,” Manohar said. “It is pretty stressful especially when we miss school for Regionals and State, but it is all worth it to be on the team.”

Students have to work with the little time they have, to make sure they can stay on top of their work and not fall behind..

“It is basically all time managment,” junior Mark Kanevsky said. “You really have to be aware of night matches and work ahead of those.”

Students achieve many things by participating in a team sport, from good exercise to having  close relationships with their teammates.

“My favorite part of tennis is just knowing that I’m doing something that I love that I’ve done since I was little with my best friends,” Manohar said. “The fact that it’s great exercise is just a bonus.”

By getting to be part of team tennis, students get to experience a whole other side of tennis.

“Tennis is usually such an individual sport and can often be frustrating and exhausting since you’re completely on your own,” Chung said. “Team tennis is the complete opposite. You may be by yourself on your court, but you’re never actually alone.”

Many of the students see themselves pursuing a tennis career in their future.

“I think I would like to do one year of college tennis, and see how it goes,” Grubstein said. “I think playing on the team at West does prepare us pretty well.”

The team is a close group of friends that are always cheering each other on.

“The team is like a family,” Kanevsky said. “We’re all super close with one another. Being on the court for the team in moments of pressure, is really something I enjoy.”

The team creates a strong bond between all the students.

“We are a group of completely different people with different hobbies and interests all brought together by tennis,” Manohar said. “We would have never met if it wasn’t for the team.”