Blog #3 personal details/ anecdote
Quakertown contains a girls and boys tennis team, which both improve each year. As number one singles player, president of the girl’s tennis team, and now assistant of the guy’s team, I represent our school. Tennis will always be my name and part of my family. However, I only started playing seriously four years ago. I tried softball and a bunch of other sports, but tennis just stuck. Tennis came into my life without drama or stress.
I learn a lot playing tennis and now feel the desire to compete and boost my rankings in tournaments. As a kid tennis was nothing but fun, now I could play in college and for the rest of my life.
The United States Tennis Association (USTA) allows you to form teams, compete, and make friends. According to their website, www.usta.com, “In 2009 alone, they directed over $45 million to communities across America to build and expand public tennis courts, fund scholarships and grants, tutor, and provide rackets and balls to youth.”
Last year I was part of a USTA team called the Zoniacs. We played hard and won the majority of our matches and were able to participate in districts. During districts the girls did well, mean while the guys struggled. Throughout the day we faced some tough teams. Yet we ended up placing in second. Everyone was disappointed that we did not win and therefore lost out on our chance to go to Princeton. However, that was the greatest day of tennis ever.
Coming in first place out of seven USTA teams was a big step. Now we must move on to bigger and better things by competing in districts on July 5, 2010 at the West End Racket Club. Lindsey Tennis and Jackie Gubler feel ready to conquer as they approach their new opponents from the team, "Jet Magic.'' Jackie spins her racket deciding that the Zoniacs will serve first. The other team appears nervous just like us. The returner sees a bright green flash as the ball flies by her like a meter from outer space. (Simile) After Jackie’s serve takes them by surprise, we immediately win the point. The match begins to become intense with rallies back and forth. Every time we score we shout, laugh, and slap rackets. While playing, green tennis courts and the sent of summer flowers surrounds us. My opponents and I go head to head in a volley battle, and our side comes out on top. The score seems of great importance while competing with all the coaches glaring at us. I feel the pressure under the scorching sunlight and double fault, yet my teammate encourages me. We can hear the crowd cheering us on. My next serve spins and plops the ball right in the service box. I am so amazed that I almost choke on my delicious spearmint gum. Meanwhile our enemies look stunned, however they lunge managing to lift the ball over the net. Now we put our game faces on and play until match point. Finally Jackie slams the ball down, we win the match six to zero in both sets. What a fantastic defeat. (Anecdote) All in all, despite their nervousness, Jackie and Lindsey win with hard work, lots of effort, and fun. (Nut Graph)
While there, we got to eat pizza and water ice. Afterwards we proved our team was great. Despite the defeat, we still received metals, gifts, and lots of praise from our parents. The sad part was that after that, our team split up. Some went to college, some moved to the advanced team, and others stopped playing altogether. In the long run, we enjoyed our time playing as a team and will always remember how close we were to going to Princeton.
This year I plan to enter more tournaments and play a whole lot of tennis. Again, I joined a USTA team. Our team this year does not contain as much talent as last years. Sometimes players do not want to come, and the desire to play does not show. Serious players should be committed, not lazy. Either way we laugh and play for fun.
So far our team lost every match, but I see great change in some of the teammates game. The extra practice on down times really helps as well. We tried to recruit as many players as possible and play Sundays plus other days during the week.
The Tennis Zone provides a place to play during the winter and costs less with a membership. Intermediate and advanced players play on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I often go on weekends for round robin with my dad and Sunday match plays with other teens. All of which really helps my game and keeps me practicing despite the snow.
I hope that our girls and boys tennis teams this year will give their maximum effort to win and bring the school some pride. My parents tell me, “If you got this far on natural talent imagine what a little effort and practice could do.” I will try harder and always play the sport I love.
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