The match is tied and sophomore Seimi Park is poised to strike the winning point. Pressure bears down on Park as the ball is served. Her tennis racket, raised high in the air, smashes the ball to the corner of the court, winning the team’s last match before the regional championship.

With a total of 13 matches played this season, the school’s Girl’s Tennis team came out on top of the conference 5A. And, as the team prepares to compete in regional competition, they also have a bigger goal in mind, winning the state championship.

“We’ve been practicing and preparing since February, so we are looking forward to winning regional play and making it to the state championship this year,” Park said.

Although this is Head Coach Joanne Lee’s first year, she is an experienced assistant coach and former champion and captain of the United States Tennis Association National team. Through her knowledge and experience as a player, Lee consistently drills and conditions her team for the regional and state level of play.

According to Lee, consistent intensity increases when the team trains against their number one opponent, themselves.

“In our area, the best competition is our own team. So, the girls play each other every practice. We have had to travel out of district to get the best competition. We scrimmaged last year’s state champion, Mills Godwin High School and beat them 7-2. We also scrimmaged Deep Run High School, a likely candidate to win states in Conference 5A this year, but we beat them 5-4. I believe by traveling out of the area to play other good schools has prepared us for states this year,” Lee said.

As a first year player freshman Phoebe Large admits being on the team is a new and challenging experience, but it’s worth the work.

“It has been fun because I’ve been able to practice with girls who play at a much higher level than me. I’ve learned a lot and whenever they need me to play, I’m there, winning matches, and that is a great feeling. Being on a team that could go to the state championship is amazing,” Large said.

As upcoming championships quickly approach, the team continues to practice in order to keep up their winning performance on the court. Lee supports and mentors the team; encouraging and inspiring the girls to bring home their trophy, but to also have fun.

“I feel encouragement is the way to coach in tennis. Tennis is such a mental game. If the girls start to doubt themselves they could lose the match. I try and always stay positive with them in practices and in their matches,” Lee said.