Every year in January, the Armuchee High School Tennis Team begins to prepare for their season in the spring, and for the 2024-2025 school year, this has just begun. Bella Ragland, a sophomore on the tennis team, said, “It is a tiring sport. You have to rally for a long time and there are two sets in tennis, so it can take a while for the match to finally end.” Her fellow teammates agreed with this statement. Although it is a tiring sport, it is not year round, which allows all players to prepare but still rest during the off season. Ragland said, “You can take lessons year round or you can play in tournaments, which makes it a year long sport.” Taking lessons gives the tennis player the option to elevate skills and choose the type of tennis one can play: tournaments or teams.
For many people, tennis can be a hard sport, both mentally and physically. Tennis is a fast paced sport that requires constant concentration and coordination. Ragland said, “A con of tennis is sometimes you can get in your head.” For that reason, tennis can be tough psychologically. Just like many sports, tennis can be challenging due to the demand on the body for performance. For instance, running and quick stops can put a lot of strain on the knees and ankles. Mentally, the sport can wear the tennis player out while trying to plan strategy and analyze the opponents play. As all of the team members have agreed with that; they also have all agreed that most of them have a special reason to keep playing. Emily Garrison, another sophomore on the tennis team, said, “I play for my great grandmother because she went pro and she gave me my first tennis lesson.” For most people, tennis is just a sport but for few, it is a connection.
Consistency and dedication to practice, as well as the desire to get better, can help to keep these connections alive. Whether this consistency is over a few months, or over a few years, consistency is key. A minority of tennis players have played ever since they were little. Evey Flagello said, “I started playing in 6th grade, so three to four years ago.” Having started younger has helped her gain confidence in her playing, which leads to a higher chance of winning. Although winning is not always the main focus of tennis, since health, sport, friendships, and fun are among its many great attributes, to many, it is still rewarding to win.
In tennis, winnings are scored by points, games, and sets, and it is a lot more difficult to win than one can imagine. Players have a two point lead in order to win a game, and two games to win a set. Hence, the reason it is hard to win. With this being said, the Armuchee Tennis Team claimed victory in multiple games during the 2024 season, leading them on to the second round of region and then to the first round of state. Mrs Ratledge said, “Our goal for this year is to win region, and go even further in state.” Mrs. Ratledge and Coach Smith are strong supporters to the team and always try to bring positive encouragement to fulfill the team’s full potential.
With making it to all of these important tournaments in 2024, the team has been able to get to know each other better and become more united as a team. Not only more united as a group, but on a personal level. Sisters, Peyton and Kennedy Falk both participate in doubles together, which is two individuals within the same court. Playing on the same court, Kennedy and Peyton have built a better relationship. Kennedy Falk said, “It helps Peyton and I bond and understand each other better, and teaches us to improve our communication. We have gotten closer from playing tennis together.” With which Peyton also agreed and said, “It has brought us together, because now we can kind of understand each other in a different way.” This bond has supported the team to which they can play better. They are able to cheer each other on, and know how to give each other pep talks when needed. They can support each other after a loss and most assuredly be there to celebrate together for each and every win. Bella Ragland said, “When someone says tennis, I think about the time we made it to state, and after we played, we all went out to eat to celebrate.” The memories of playing tennis together, the highs, the lows, and everything in between will last a lifetime for all of these athletes, all thanks to being a part of the Armuchee Tennis Team.
