Spring sports are starting, including the men’s tennis season. Tryouts are a series of matches, and students will play against each other based on their skill level. Tryouts were in late February and early March at the Skyline tennis courts. Tryouts can be very exciting but also nerve wracking for students, especially those who were trying out for the first time. But along with the nerves, there’s the joy in being able to meet new people and the possibility of being able to represent the school. 

Some challenges with tryouts in the spring are the weather conditions. The weather in spring can be very unpredictable, especially in Utah. Since the tennis tryouts are outside, students need to deal with constant changes from Mother Nature. Freshman James Stacey said, “The hardest thing about tryouts is adjusting to the environmental conditions. One day it could be sunny and hot and the next it might be windy and cold.” 

Along with tryouts, there’s also pressure. Students want to prove and push themselves during tryouts. Pressure can be especially hard to deal with in these situations. Freshman Andrew Bi commented, “You just have to block it out. You can’t really focus on the things people are doing. […] You have to really focus and just make sure you hit well and do well.” 

Tryouts can be a great experience and students can learn so much from them. Bi explained, “Tryouts are very hard, but they’re also really fun seeing everyone play. It was a really good experience seeing how everyone hits the ball differently; it just shows how everyone can have a different playing style but can still play really well.” The playing styles can vary, but working as a team can bring everyone together. Besides all the stress and pressure, tryouts are also about learning and improving skills along the way. 

For many players, the tennis tryouts bring a feeling of excitement, stress, and anticipation. Students get a chance to meet new people, improve their tennis skills, and work as a team to represent their school. Stepping onto the court with their teammates can be very exciting, and it’s an environment where players push themselves and each other beyond their limits. It is also a place where students can cheer each other on and help each other grow. Stacey added, “I think it’s exciting being able to play against new people and be a part of a really good team, since Skyline has historically had one of the best [men’s] tennis teams.”