Homewood High School’s boys and girls tennis teams will begin their season Jan. 31 competing in the Pelham Frostbite Tournament against teams from around the state.
After graduating many seniors and star players last year, the team is working on rebuilding with a focus on improving skills, especially with younger players.
“This year there’s a lot of opportunity for new people to play and improve since last year there were a lot of veterans on the team,” Madeleine Ann Brockwell said.
The team hopes to strengthen team dynamics and build communication skills to better their doubles play. Younger players are typically proficient in singles matches, but can struggle when doubles matches are introduced. Since many new middle school players play on the high school team and are accustomed to solo play, there is a need to increase collaboration between players.
Middle school players begin competing in competitive matches at a young age, which prepares them for high school.
“With the youth of the team, there is this desire to prove themselves and a hunger to compete that is helping push the entire team,” HHS tennis coach Terrance Cobb said.
Another major goal for the team is focusing on the things they can control. Cobb is placing a focus on that mental toughness.
“If we are more intentional about the things we can control, then the results will be what we want them to be,” Cobb said.
Spain Park and Chelsea have both moved down to 6A and are now in Homewood’s section. The team will have to compete against these experienced teams in order to make it to state, however, the team is focusing on the controllables in order to prepare for these matches later in the season.
“We are approaching the new sectional and touch matches this season by really defining who we are as players and who we are as a team,” Cobb said. “We have a clear understanding of who we are as ‘Homewood Tennis’ and as an athletic program, and the assets that come along with that.”
This year, the seniors are hoping to build up younger players in order to focus on the future of the tennis team. Success will come when the team works together and places a focus on winning matches.
“I know the ropes, so I’m focusing on passing on my knowledge this season,” Brockwell said.
