Looking back on the four years I’ve played for the Park boys’ tennis team, I can confidently say that I have made some of the greatest memories, met some of the best people and had some of the most rewarding experiences of my time in high school.

I started playing in my freshman year of high school, alongside people I knew from my classes, but also many more that I had never met. Tennis provided an opportunity to connect with upperclassmen and other students that I otherwise would have never had the opportunity to interact with. For that, I am forever grateful.

Starting on a new team, as a freshman no less, I remember it being daunting interacting with people that were older than me. As I, myself, have become the upperclassman, I now realize how misplaced this fear was. We are a team and we operate as a team; there is never any distinction of ‘they are an underclassman, and so they are less than’ or ‘they are an upperclassman, so they are greater than.’ We thrive off of each other’s success and learn from our failures.

One of the most rewarding parts of my time on the team has been interacting with my teammates. Although not inherently a team sport like that of soccer or football, tennis at Park has always felt a lot like it — with people cheering on their teammates and doubles partners celebrating after each game won. Between the small talk at the beginning of practices and the often uncoordinated team chants at the end of each match and practice, there is a solidarity between the team.

With that togetherness, we drive each other to do our best every day. In practices, you see teammates and coaches cheering every player on to push themselves — to treat every game as though it is the last of the match and to work hard to improve their shots.

Going into my final season, I couldn’t be more proud of the effort I’ve seen put into the team, and I’m happy that I’ve been able to be a part of it over the years. With the players, teamwork and determination I’ve seen this year, I have no doubt this is going to be an excellent season and that we will have success for years to come. I look forward to seeing how far this team can go.

If you’re interested in joining boys’ tennis for future seasons, register at gopark.org or contact head coach Greg Holmbeck with any additional questions.