The start of Spring brings the start of Elkins High School’s tennis season. The pre-season has started with Coach Mark Walters from D&E hosting winter practices. Mark is an experienced coach with 713 wins across NCAA Divisions 1 and 2. Tennis is a sport in which commitment is vital to improving. Junior Ariel Snodgrass is a Tennis veteran. She’s been playing for two years, this year will make her third.
“This spring I’m excited for tennis. I started the sport in my freshman year of high school and am constantly playing in my free time. This season I’m hopeful to move up the seeds, last year I was in the second spot. I look forward to bonding with the newer players joining as well! I’ve been focusing on improving my serve, I’ve got it pretty consistent and well-paced. There’s always room for improvement and I look forward to improving my tennis game through actual practice with the team. I’m also excited for the away games, the rides there and back are always fun!” Said Snodgrass.
Allison Lindsey, another junior tennis player, is also excited for the tennis season. She began her sophomore year but worked her way up to second seed. She practices often during the off-season, attending winter clinics and practicing on her own. When asked about what she’s most hopeful for, she says she’s hopeful that more team members will make it to States.
“I’m very excited for the upcoming tennis season. I look forward to the good weather that comes with the season as well. I have a lot of hopes for our team, as I know that we can achieve a lot as long as we put in the work. A personal goal of mine is for some of our team members to make it to states. A handful of us have been working outside of the season by attending winter clinics, receiving lessons, and competing in competitions such as the MSFF tournament. Our first official practice is in three weeks, and I’m excited to see our growth as a team. If anyone is interested in tennis I highly encourage them to come to a practice and try it out! Overall, I am so ready to get on the courts and I can see us going far this season.”
