According to senior Caitlin Seaman, she decided to join tennis for the first time this year because she thought it would be an enjoyable experience with her friends.

“I decided to join tennis my last year because I wanted to do a fall sport and some of my good friends play,” Seaman said. “I thought it would be a fun way to be involved in something during the fall.”

Senior and returning tennis player Alyssa Barth said joining a new sport can be a challenge, but can prove to be a positive addition to the year.

“I think it can be difficult (to join a new sport), but if you play other sports and are athletic it makes it easier to pick up new sports,” Barth said. “It’s fun if you play with other friends and it’s your last year, so just have fun with it.”

Senior Stefany Perez began playing tennis for the first time this year and said a downside of starting a new sport is not being at the same skill-level as returning players, but that can also be a motivator.

“The other seniors who have played the sport in the past are much more advanced since they have been playing for a longer time,” Perez said. “But if you look at it from a different perspective, it isn’t much of a disadvantage, but more of a way to motivate you to work harder.”

Seaman said being a senior in a new sport can take off the pressure of working toward being on varsity the following year.

“An advantage of it being my first year and being a senior is that I don’t have to worry about working my way up to make it to a better team next year,” Seaman said. “I can just put it all out there because it’s the last time I can.”

Barth said she recommends trying out a new sport because of its potential to become something more than just an experiment.

“Take a risk, because you never know what it will be like until you try it and you might actually really like it,” Barth said.

Seaman said seniors thinking of starting a new sport should focus on having a good time.

“My advice to anyone starting a new sport their senior year is to not put pressure on yourself and just have fun,” Seaman said.