The tennis team has been relentlessly preparing to dominate their competition at the state tournament on Apr. 25. They have repeatedly shown their talent at numerous tournaments this season and are excited to prove it at state this year.

What really makes both the teams successful is their determination to win not only as singles and doubles, but as a team.

The boys tennis is currently ranked number 22 with a record of 7-6. Coach Thomas Lennox had high expectations even though the team lost five of their best players from last season’s 14th ranked team.

“I thought we could be ranked top 15 again, and reach state championships,” Coach Lennox said. “We did not meet those goals because of a wave of illness and injuries at the wrong time.”  

Unfortunately, only the top 16 teams can compete in the team state championships. However, senior Brigham Welch is competing in the individual state singles, and juniors Cole McClure and Slade Yeager are competing in the state doubles competition.

With state right around the corner, the boys need to be pushed to their limits and constantly motivated.

“I motivate them by working on technique and strategy, if they are confident they can play a certain way their confidence to win an individual skyrockets,” Lennox said.

The girl’s varsity team is preparing for the state tournament with an extra week of practice to focus on strengthening every aspect of their game; they learn from past tournaments to help them succeed in future matches.

“Tournaments give you a better feel for what state is like, you play the same people for a long time,” junior Kylie Goldberg said.

Driven to reach their potential, the Lady Pumas are dedicated and determined to leave it all on the court at state.

“We have been putting in hard work and 100% effort in our past tournaments, matches and practices,” senior Mackenzie Brown said.

The girls struggled earlier in the season because of the flood of new girls to the program. But nonetheless, the girls still built strong relationships with each other.

“The chemistry of the team is amazing,” Goldberg said. “We all love each other and during our matches continuously push each other on.”

The strong bonds made within the team contribute to a lot of their success.

“All the girls are always having a good time together at practice and it makes our bond stronger, it pushes us to do our best to support the team overall,” Brown said.

The girls will rely on their talent, hard work and bond with each other to reach their goals at state.