Lots of athletes around the school are used to participating in club and school sports. Club sports can be helpful for athletes, allowing them to improve outside the school season. Although KSHSAA restricts club involvement during the school season, in most sports, athletes are allowed to attend lessons outside of their team. Ashley Anderson, 11, uses this to their advantage during the high school tennis season.  

“[Tennis lessons] help me tremendously during the season. Throughout the season I can get a little in my head, but not to a point where I am completely wrecking out. I do weekly lessons and that just relaxes me,” Anderson explained, “If I am messing up on my serve and I go take my lesson during the week and work on my serve, then I feel better about the next competition.”

Utilizing club experiences has helped Anderson find success during their high school career.

“Freshman year I was already acclimatized to tennis because of the summer training. My expectations were to win all my matches and just do the best I could. I improved throughout the season and made my goal to make the top 6 JV, so I could have a fun season,” Anderson said. 

A successful freshman season set up Anderson to have better seasons in the future. 

“Not that I am on varsity, the main goal is to get better each tournament and make it to state from regionals. I am really hoping we can finish the season strong,” Anderson explained. 

Although Anderson is only a junior and still has one high school season remaining, they know that tennis will always be a part of their life. 

“If tennis takes me to college, I would take it. If it does not, I would not be mad. I know that tennis will always be in my life. I am hoping to coach tennis someday and I already do lessons outside of school. I am already involved in tennis, and I know I will always be able to play tennis,” Anderson said.