Liv Bain

Sports. Some people love them, others just thinking about them makes them nervous.
Spring sports are a big thing at Papillion La Vista High School. Most people look forward to them, especially senior Avery Wolfe and sophomore Kayla Wheeler who tried out for girls tennis this spring season.
Tennis is a sport that some people just jump right into. For Avery Wolfe tennis was just a sport that she did spontaneously.
“I had never played tennis before my freshman year,” Wolfe said. “I just asked one of my friends if they would practice with me a few times so I could get the hang of how to hit the ball.”
Tennis is also a sport that people can just have fun at, nothing to stress over, an activity to just stay mobile in the spring.
“Tennis feels like a sport I can just do for fun!” Wolfe said. “I love the fact that tennis is a lifelong sport I can play until I’m practically 80!”
While tennis can be a fun sport, tryouts can be pretty tough with all the mental preparation, for Kayla Wheeler she has gotten down a way to get in the right mindset before tryouts.
“I just try to think about myself when trying out,” Wheeler said. “Not worrying about how good or bad anyone else is doing. Everyone is doing their best so I make sure to treat everyone the same.”
During tryouts it’s important to mentally and physically prepare to create a set and confident mind and body for any matches.
“I mentally prepare by focusing my mind and being as calm as I can,” Wolfe said. “I physically prepare my body by eating good food and drinking lots of water before a day of matches.”
As the tennis season is approaching, tennis girls will take the time to learn and refine new abilities to master techniques on the court, and this is no different for Avery Wolfe.
“I hope to become more confident in my abilities, specifically my backhand,” Wolfe said.
Tennis is not just a school sport it’s a team and a family, for Kayla Wheeler tennis is a place where teammates come together, support each other, and grow both on and off the court.
“Some qualities they have are kindness, compassion, competitiveness, and dedication,” Wheeler said. “It has taught me that it can be a team sport or an individual sport but no matter what, you will always have people supporting you.”
Tennis tryouts are not just about showcasing skills, but also about demonstrating dedication, teamwork, and resilience. The time spent trying out teaches that with hard work, a positive attitude, and the willingness to learn, the tennis team at PLHS will overcome challenges and grow stronger, both as players and as individuals.