While senior leadership is priceless in the sports world, one Mingus Union High School team has relied on sophomore leadership this season.
Though Mingus girls tennis lost six seniors from the 2018 team, all is not lost for the youthful Marauders.
All nine Marauders are underclassmen this season, including two freshmen.
Mingus coach Andrea Meyer spoke on the Marauders’ camaraderie and team dynamic.
What is your favorite aspect of coaching tennis?
I like how my team is so amenable to coaching and gracious towards being coached. They came to the sport brand new, and you must accept coaching in a complex sport like tennis. If you are not willing to be coached, it makes getting the ball over the net that much more difficult. The great thing about this team is that they are so receptive to coaching.
What has been the focal point during spring break?
We have been working on grooving their ground strokes lately. There were two or three girls lifting their hitting shoulder and not following through the whole way. We went into the old patio and scraped the concrete with our eyes closed. I had the girls listen to the sound so they could hear how long that racket stroke actually was. We have been working on that and improving our consistency.
In most of tennis, the person who gets the ball over the net is going to win. It is not about hitting the winner, but about getting the ball back.
How would you describe the team dynamic?
I think dynamic is the right word to describe it. We all have a feeling of creating something at practice.
They do not just come to practice, put in their time and go home. They show up with a willingness to work and a sense of togetherness. If someone is frustrated with their serve, I will hear words of encouragement from her teammates. That spirit of camaraderie is here all the time and it is fundamental
to this team.
Do you think the team’s closeness helps during doubles?
I believe it does. As a coach, you want to see your players working together and playing doubles can be difficult. One player may be having an off game and it is the other girl’s job to lift her partner up and affirm her. What I look for through the fence is girls high-fiving each other and motivating one another.
Has the team always been a close-knit bunch?
I would say all of my teams are. It is very important
to me to give them a great experience. There are a lot of ways to win and the W column is only one way. However, it is a winning season when the girls look back and think of how far they have come. They will have improved as players and have made three or four friends, so that is what I strive for whenever I am coaching. Winning is in the heart of the girl, not on some paper score sheet that you throw away.
Who has led the team this year?
I have seven girls and seven leaders to tell the truth. I have two captains in Rhyme Uekusa and Anna Schreiber that have attended the captain’s meetings held by Athletic Director Yancey DeVore. Those meetings have been wonderful and effective, as Rhyme and Anna will talk about perseverance
or character. My captains rotate weekly so every girl has responsibilities,
such as helping the opposing team locate the changing rooms. They get to practice their social skills and play the host for the other team before we hold a match. They all will have a chance at captain for the week by the end of the season. I think it is a big opportunity to showcase your leadership abilities.
What life lessons does tennis teach?
It teaches everything. Tennis enriches your life in so many ways. The most obvious things are that it teaches you to be an honorable
person. You have to call the lines and whether your opponent’s ball is inside the field of play or outside. That can be a difficult thing to do when you are trying to master your footwork and win the match. It is hard to be honest and have personal integrity on every ball but that is what you are called to do. In my opinion, integrity
is one of the biggest things that tennis teaches. It also teaches you how to deal with adversity. Tennis matches typically vacillate because you have so many ups and downs within one match. You can lead 4-1 at one point and then find yourself trailing 5-4 in a flash so knowing how to stay calm is big. You have to maintain confidence in what you have practiced and think about what the opponent is giving you. You are playing the ball and not the opponent.
The Marauders returned to the court on Tuesday, March 19, to face the Cactus Shadow Falcons.
Mingus’ next home match is Friday, March 22, when the Marauders host Bradshaw Mountain.
The match is slated to begin at 3:30 p.m.
