By Karson Crosthwaite

With a mix of new talent and returning players, this year’s Collegiate School boys Middle School tennis team is developing into a competitive and close-knit team. The team is not only improving their skills on the court but also learning fundamentals of how to be a teammate and lead with confidence.

This year’s team is made up of two returning 8th Graders, seven new 7th Graders, and one new 8th Grader. One of the returning players, Henry (‘30), has been an excellent teammate, despite a broken wrist. Even though he can not compete, he attends every match and practice, encouraging his teammates to improve every day. He said that his favorite part of the team is “the team itself and the sense of camaraderie,” adding that “a big part of loving a sport is loving the team you play with.”

The team’s first match against St. Bridget Catholic School on March 20th was a memorable one. Despite early nerves for the Collegiate team, and players who were competing in their first match, the team succeeded in a hard-fought victory, 6-3. According to Henry, the team tries to stay “light” during practice and then changes to a more serious mentality during matches.

Collegiate’s tennis courts. Photo courtesy of Collegiate School.

As the season continues, the balance between enjoyment and intensity seems to be crucial for the team’s success. Practices are filled with amusing and light-hearted moments, but when it is time to compete, players are learning how to shift their mindset. The ability to stay relaxed under pressure during a match is also paramount to the team’s success in the future. 

Another area the team is looking to improve on is translating practice drills and patterns into matches. In practice, it is much easier to execute the task at hand, because there is no pressure. During matches, the players have to deal with the pressure of potentially letting their team down with a loss. Learning to bridge the gap of practice to a match is important for the Middle School team. In the spirit of Henry’s comment about camaraderie, the players support one another during matches, celebrate successes, and provide encouragement during difficult moments. His leadership on the sidelines serves as a role model for his team, showing them how to support one another, and his positive energy encourages others to do the same. 

The coaching staff is working to build a competitive culture for the team, where players strive to improve and feel success in matches. During practice, the team focuses on three main areas to work on: fundamentals, court positioning, and target selection. These three areas of tennis are crucial for confidence during a match. 

Middle School boys tennis. Photo credit: Doug Wright.

One of the team’s top performers, Isaac (‘31), who plays at the number one position, has embraced the pressure and the challenge of leading the team in the lineup. In Middle School tennis, teams field six singles players and three doubles teams, with the number one spot reserved for the strongest competitor in singles. Five total wins are needed for a team victory, and each match counts as one point. Doubles and singles matches are played at separate times, so the best singles players can play doubles as well. Isaac highlighted the team’s ability to balance competitiveness and camaraderie. He said, “The team works well together, yet we compete with each other very often, and everyone has different strengths, which contributes to well-rounded doubles teams.” Isaac credits most of his improvement to his coaches, particularly in developing his consistency and learning how to adjust his strategy based on his opponent. Specifically, he described how his forehand and backhand have improved the most this season, which has made his game more challenging for his opponents. Isaac also mentioned when playing at line one, the intensity forces him to stay confident and trust his instincts. 

Reflecting on a recent match day, Isaac described an 8–5 doubles win he shared with Peyton (’31) as “close” early on, but noted that “the gap widened” as the match progressed, largely due to their improved volleys. After doubles, Issac dominated in an  8-1 singles win, which included long points, blocked overheads, and consistent tennis. He emphasized the importance of staying relaxed while maintaining focus, even when ahead in games. Looking in advance, Isaac has set a clear goal for himself: to continue improving his serve.

As the season moves forward, the Middle School boys tennis team will continue to build a stronger team. With experienced leadership and valuable contributions from players like Henry and Isaac, the team is learning what it means to compete with both skill and character. 

Featured image courtesy of Collegiate School.