Student Lavender Walsh Reveals STF’s Support and Guidance Key to Success

How has STF and tennis challenged and rewarded your growth?

I started playing tennis on a whim. An administrator at my school told me that the tennis team was looking for players, so I signed up, not knowing exactly what to expect. I was super nervous when I first showed up to practice. I got changed after school and walked over to the courts. It turned out that it was canceled, so I kept showing up afterschool each day to the tennis courts until I could finally join the team. I'm glad I did, since I ended up discovering something I'm now passionate about.

I had a little bit of experience playing tennis when I was younger, which gave me a bit of a leg up at first. However, in order to keep up, I had to consistently give it my all. I really found value in practising and playing hard. I feel like I started to get into a groove during the season, and I ended up only losing 1 singles match the entire year. The season culminated in the district tournament, where my doubles partner and I ended up placing third. While we were having an off day and were disappointed that we didn't place higher, it was a fulfilling experience to put my all into a team with another person and compete for the trophy.

After Summer Break began and I finished up my summer school requirements, I began showing up to STF summer camp practices as a way to continue to hone my tennis skills after the conclusion of the season. Despite the heat, I came every day that I was able, eager to improve. I definitely ended up learning a lot and grew as a player in a variety of ways. The support and guidance I received from the coaches was very helpful in growing my skills, and I enjoyed the camaraderie of competing with my peers. It really rounded out my break and provided me with a respite from the boring staleness of summer.

Next season, I hope I can play at a higher level and achieve my goals. I want to win the district doubles tournament, and try to help bring my team up to a better overall finish. I plan to keep practising in the pre-season and get myself very prepared for when the time comes around. Above all, it is just a really enriching experience in my eyes to be able to represent my school in a sport I enjoy while making bonds with my teammates. I plan to enjoy it, and make the most of the end of my Senior year.

In conclusion, while tennis very much came to me and just sort of appeared in my life, I made the most of it and found something I really enjoy and want to keep improving in. I am grateful to my coaches and peers for providing me with a supportive, helpful environment to help me grow. Tennis has provided a lot to me, from exercise and activity to friends and competition. And above all, it has made me realise that I can do a lot, if I dedicate myself to it and stick to it.

Lavender Walsh
Camelback
Senior
1 yearin STF