Freshmen tennis players recap lessons of season

As the junior varsity tennis season comes to a close, many players are taking time to reflect on their progress and experiences. Freshmen Ernie Plunkett and Fisher White shared their thoughts on the season, from initial expectations to their goals for next year.

White said he came into the season with low expectations but was pleasantly surprised by how things turned out.

“The season went a lot better than I thought it would,” White said. “I came in with low expectations and was upset because I was forced to do it, but in the end I had a good time playing with some friends.”

Plunkett also entered the season unsure of his ability but walked away feeling confident.

“I came into the season thinking I was going to be the worst on the team,” Plunkett said, “but I improved a lot and ended up being pretty good.”

Still, the season wasn’t without its difficulties. White said one of his biggest challenges was relearning the fundamentals of the game.

“I played before, but I realized I wasn’t playing correctly,” he said, “so I had to completely relearn how to play well. After that, I had to work on my backhands. For some reason, they were very difficult for me, and having to practice that consistently was tough.”

Looking ahead, White said he’s already planning how to stay sharp over the summer.

“My main way I’m going to prepare is to practice with friends and family,” he said. “I talked to some of the other members on the team, and we discussed practicing over the summer, so that should be fun.”

Plunkett also has clear goals for the off-season and next year.

“The main goal I have is to try to get more consistent shots and learn how to aim more,” he said. “I also want to be in the top six of JV next season so I can play singles and compete more.”

As the offseason begins, both players are focused on growth and improvement. Whether it’s working on technique or building consistency, Plunkett, White and many others are already looking forward to what comes next.