Tennis Family

            As I officially began the final tennis season of my high school career on Saturday, it hit me as I was driving to Veterans Memorial Stadium how much I will miss all of my tennis ladies next year. They are the only people in this whole school, besides Mr. Benedict, that understand the game of tennis, why we keep playing, the passion we have for the sport, and all of the other #tennisprobs that come with playing this sport. It's more than hitting a yellow ball inbounds; it's moving your feet, placing the ball, strategic plays, communication when playing doubles, and most importantly it’s a mind and mental game.

Tennis is very under-appreciated at Kennedy High School, but the difference between women's/men's tennis compared to women's basketball is that we don't beg for people to come. We don't whine when none of our friends or classmates, even when administration and teachers don't come. I think the problem is that it's not a cheering/fan based sport. We play for ourselves, our doubles partner, our team, and also our coach. The cool thing about tennis is that you can lose a couple games but still win the match. Your individual victory or loss counts towards a running team score out of nine points (6 singles + 3 doubles= 9 points). You need 5 "points" or victories to win. That will be the end of my rant for now.... stay tuned for more information on tennis and how you can be a “superfan.” J

For now, here is some tennis lingo for you to enjoy:

-love: means 0 in the point system

-deuce: score of 40-40

-let: when the ball hits the net when going over

-alley: area that is allowed to be played when playing doubles

-forehand: right side stroke (or played on the side you are most natural with)

-backhand: left side stroke (opposite of natural side)

-volley: most likely shorter shots played at the net

-lob: the "rainbow" shot- often used offensively to avoid net players

-overhead: otherwise known as a smash or slam.... a ball that you have time to approach, point, and get a lot of power with. Some get the overhead confused with the volley  (369)