As the rhythmic sound of tennis balls rallying back and forth fills the air, two new players on the tennis team stepped onto the court for their first match against Rhea County. Daisee Greene (9) and Merrin Boals (9) both took part in singles and doubles matches, marking the beginning of their journey in high school tennis. Both girls joined the team simply because they thought it looked fun and wanted to try something new—a leap into unfamiliar territory that many can relate to.
Pre-game nerves are a natural part of any athlete’s experience, especially when it’s your first competitive match. Greene and Boals were no exception, and they openly shared their feelings and thoughts as they prepared to face their opponents.
“[My first game] felt good, I was excited,” Greene said.
“It felt scary but good at the same time, I was really nervous and scared of getting hit by the ball honestly,” Boals said.
Despite the natural jitters that come with playing their first competitive matches, both Greene and Boals were able to find shining moments that stood out as personal highlights. These were the parts of the game where they felt a surge of confidence, a sense that their hard work and practice were paying off.
“Probably at the end of my singles match, my serves were really good,” Greene said.
“When I was receiving the ball I was able to play better,” Boals said.
Every athlete, no matter their level, encounters obstacles—especially when stepping into a new sport or competitive environment for the first time. Greene and Boals were no different; they candidly shared the challenges they faced during their debut matches.
“The most challenging part was returning serves,” Greene said.
“Having to serve it, or when I was on one side of the court and the ball went really far to the other side, it was hard to get it,” Boals said.
Acknowledging these challenges marks an important step in their development, fueling their determination to improve. Both players have thoughtfully set clear, focused goals for the season ahead, using their early experiences as motivation to grow stronger and more confident on the court.
“[My goals for the rest of the season are] to win my matches,” Greene said.
“[My goals for the season are] to win and to get better at serving,” Boals said.
To reach these goals, both plan to dedicate time to practice and refine their skills between matches. They know where to focus their efforts to become stronger players.
“I want to focus on improving my backhand,” Greene said.
“Definitely my serves,” Boals said.
With their impressive first outing behind them, Greene and Boals have already begun to write their own chapter in the team’s story. Their enthusiasm and budding skill set hint at a season full of promise and growth. As the team moves forward to upcoming games, these fresh faces are ready to prove that their debut was just the start of something truly exciting.
