The boys and girls tennis team was a walk-on team during tryouts this season. Meaning, anyone who showed up to the tryouts was automatically put on the team. The team has many promising characteristics that don’t deserve the title of being a “walk-on” team during tryouts, simply because more people should have tried out. Although if you wanted to try out, there were still athletic requirements that had to be reached, just like any other sport.

There are many reasons people have tried out for the team. Some players with or without an incentive. “I thought the sport seemed fun, and it looked interesting, and I just wanted to play tennis in general,” said Jeily Rodriguez, a freshman here at Osbourn who is on the girls tennis team. There is also an incentive, like a benefit they get from being on the team. “We get to go to a Korean BBQ for our banquet,” said Devin Brown, a freshman here at Osbourn who is on the boys tennis team.

Having incentives and benefits is something you think about before trying out for the team. But while you’re in the middle of the season, you’re really thinking about having fun. It shows that the more chemistry there is between the team members, the more fun you have on the team. “The chemistry contributes to the fun on the team because a lot of girls are friends outside of tennis. The more friendly you are with each other outside of the court, the more chemistry you have on the court and on the team,” said Ludie Mouvi, a senior here at Osbourn who is on the girls tennis team.

Although the team is a walk-on team during tryouts, it doesn’t mean that you don’t need any athletic characteristics to be able to make the team. You would still need some important requirements to contribute to the team. “Players would need effort and resilience, tennis is very mental, and a lot of times, unlike team sports, you have to play by yourself, and you don’t have other people backing you up,” said Mr. Liddle, the girls and boys tennis coach.

Adding contributions to the team with your athletic abilities can make room for goals by pushing the team forward and in a progressive direction. “I think the team needs to work on teamwork because we have a lot of new players that need to get used to playing together,” said Yannis Cernucan, a senior here at Osbourn who is on the boys tennis team. With tennis being a sport played individually, it can be hard to be inclusive towards everyone working together. “I think the team needs to work on double matches for us to be able to work together more,” said Tegan Elyse, a sophomore here at Osbourn, who is on the girls tennis team.

Jeliy Rodrigez added, ” For this season, I want to learn the basics in tennis, and I want to have a good strategy.”

Want to support our tennis athletes? Here is the schedule of home matches!

Girls Tennis Home Games:

Vs Battlefield High School 3/19 @ 4:30pm

Vs Park View High School 3/27 @ 4:30pm

Vs Independence High School 4/8 @ 4:30pm

Vs Osbourn Park High School 4/23 @ 4:30pm

Vs Unity Reed High School 5/5 @ 4:30pm

Vs Patriot High School 5/7 @ 4:30pm

Boys Tennis Home Games:

Vs Osbourn Park High School 3/23 @ 4:00pm

Vs Brentsville High School 3/26 @ 4:00pm

Vs Park View High School 4/7 @ 4:30pm

Vs Patriot High School 4/13 @ 4:30pm

Vs Gainesville High School 4/16 @ 4:30pm

Vs Battlefield High School 4/20 @ 4:30pm

Vs Independence High School 4/30 @ 4;30pm

Vs Unity Reed High School 5/5 @ 4:30pm

Vs Patriot High School 5/7 @ 4:30pm

Find out more at osbournathletics.net