Our Stories

From OLIVIA

What is tennis? Most people would say it involves… a ball, two racquets, and two players: a game played between yourself and your opponent across the net. Yes, this is technically true: tennis is a 1 vs 1 sport (or 2 vs 2 if we’re talking doubles), where there can only be one real winner. However, the more matches you play, you’ll realize that the real opponent isn’t the person across the net—it’s you. Tennis is a mirror, it’s a reflection of life.

To the spectators watching the decisive match that will clinch you and your team the victory against your high school rivals, they’ll see two players duking it out on a perfectly symmetrical court. They’ll see crushing cross-court forehands and threaded down-the-line backhands; a desperate defense against a perfect overhead smash, or maybe you sprinting forward reaching for a precisely timed drop-shot. They will see two individuals at battle against each other, giving their all to be that sole winner. What they don’t see, is the real battle.

The real battle takes place in the player’s mind. Whenever it’s time to rise to the occasion, we all feel the pressure, the anxiety, and the doubt that circulates through the mind. We sometimes have thoughts that say we can’t win—I’m not good enough, I’m too tired, my opponent is too good. Sometimes, we may start to think we have no control at all. When you’re facing a breakpoint—or worse, a match point—there are things that are completely and utterly out of your control.

The same is true of life: there are things that are just out of your control. You can’t control the weather that may ruin your plans for the day, can’t control how other people think or feel, and you can’t control the future, no matter how much you plan for it. Like a cord ball that just barely trickles over the net costing you the point, life is full of random unpredictable shots that may knock you down and discourage you.

Luckily, there’s plenty you can control. Instead of feeling defeated by your opponent’s brilliant shot, you can choose to use it as fuel to energize yourself, and prepare for the next one. Your opponent will hit shots you didn’t see coming, but you are in control of the next one—the one you hit. A booming forehand demonstrating your strength in the face of tribulation, or a slice backhand showing off your grace and poise amidst the storm. You get to decide your response. Your decisions in tennis, and in life, are a reflection of who you are as a player and as a person. It took me a while to see this. In high school, I was filled with anxiety. The fear of the unknown is often overwhelming. It can even get to the point where you feel like you have no say or control over what happens to you. When I was a Puerto Rican kid going to an inner-city school, I never thought I would get the opportunity to play tennis, let alone fall in love with a sport that taught me so much about myself and about life. Tennis is often seen as a sport for the rich and privileged, neither of which I was.

But then freshman-year spring tennis rolled around, and I took a risk. I paid no mind to thestereotypes that often defined me, and I chose to say no to the anxiety that crippled me. I choseto play. And I never regretted that decision. That decision brought me lifelong friends. It brought me the confidence to take life day-by-day, just like how I learned to approach each tennis match point-by-point, putting aside the unknown of what comes next and the anxiety that comes with it, and just focusing in on that moment and the ball in front of me.

The decision to play tennis (and ultimately the decision I make every day to push aside fear and anxiety) helped me get into college, and eventually graduate and find a job I love. Tennis is a lifetime sport that should be for everyone. Tennis taught me patience and discipline, and a heck of a lot more, but I won’t spoil too much more for you—I’ll let you find out for yourself.

When playing tennis, my stresses and burdens faded away which gave me a chance to calm down and relax. Looking back on my high school experience, I remember the laughs I had with my teammates, the relief the courts brought after taking a test, the hours spent practicing each day working to improve and the time I won a match in a tiebreak with everyone cheering me on.

As I move forward in life, I believe tennis and the lessons I learned will continue to guide me. I have to remain disciplined, study and work hard to further my education at Gettysburg College. My roots, my parents and tennis have inspired me to pursue a career in medical research because I want to help my community and the world.

Elliot at a glance:

• Graduated from J. P. McCaskey High School ranked top 5 in his class of 545
• Attends Gettysburg College studying medical research
• Played high school tennis & currently plays on the Gettysburg College team
• Credits the discipline he’s learned on the courts with his success off the courts
• Volunteers at The Mix at Arbor Place and other community organizations.

“How I act on the court will reflect how I act off the court. I have learned to be disciplined through tennis.”

Throughout high school, I devoted countless hours of training and dedicating myself to the game I love. As a senior, I fulfilled my dream of winning the AAA District III girls tennis title. This was a goal I had since my freshman year and while losing in the semi-finals two years in a row was disheartening, I didn’t let that stop me. I worked harder to get stronger both mentally and physically. I proved that dedication, patience and perseverance could accomplish anything.

Through tennis, I’ve learned the importance of positive leadership skills. Who I am as a person affects those around me, so with my teammates, I always set out to exemplify respect, character and patience. Playing tennis has helped me learn to better problem solve and strategize on the court as well as in the classroom. Staying positive, being motivated and working hard has attributed to many successful outcomes for me. In college, I hope to continue to grow in the love for the game that has given me so much inspiration on the court and in the classroom.

Katina at a glance:

• Graduated from Penn Manor High School with a 4.38 GPA
• National Honor Society officer as a high school junior and senior
• Three-time AAA Lebanon-League champion & AAA District III champion
• Volunteers with Special Olympics, Steinman Cup and other children’s tennis programs
• Attends West Chester University playing and succeeding on the tennis team

“Whether in the classroom or on the tennis court, I know and appreciate that dedication and hard work has been the key to success.”

Tennis, Flying, and Family: a True Love Story

Jeff Wood and Family
Someone once said that if you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life. Someone else said that you are a product of your environment. If you surround yourself with successful, positive, accomplished people you have a good chance of turning out well yourself. This is my story. A story of a young teenage boy discovering the joys of an incredible life of happiness which took flight with a simple love for the game of tennis. A story that owes the game a lifetime of gratitude and a story shaped by men but mostly great women that were there every step of the way.

I always loved sports and most of my youth was spent playing team sports like soccer and baseball. I grew up ultra-competitive and, quite frankly, I was a little out of control at times. Fortunately, I had great parents that always believed in me anyway and they kept encouraging me to do my very best. In the mid 80’s, I discovered tennis. This sport was all about me! While that was the love lure early on, I had no idea what this newfound love would blossom into overtime. Read More…