Girls tennis at Antioch Community High School encourages many students to try something new. Traveling most days to the courts at Lakes, players show their commitment to the team on and off campus.

“We see a lot of improvement throughout the course of the season, particularly because a lot of kids come to us having never played before,” varsity coach Jamie D’Andrea said. “By the end of the season, if they’ve worked hard enough, you can tell.”

Similar to other sports, players must work hard to overcome obstacles in the game. Different moves and strategies may seem overwhelming, but the team perseveres to enhance their techniques and improve their performance.

“The most difficult part of a match would be not knowing what you’re going into,” sophomore varsity player Caitlynn Gsell said. “Other schools have different skills, so you never know what to expect from each match.”

Players work hard and play hard while maintaining the special team bond. Exposure to different places is a benefit of traveling to matches and tournaments.

“You meet a lot of new people on the Antioch team that are really nice,” junior varsity player Alina Hussain said. “You also get to know a lot of players from different schools.”

The Antioch tennis team strives to work hard together and improve their skills at the sport they love. Dedication and effort from each player keeps the team improving as they begin each season.