The match began with a powerful serve from the first player sending the ball flying over the net. The second player returned the shot with equal force setting the tone for the singles match. In one final shot, player one swung and hit the ball sailing over the net past the opponents reach clinching the victory for Bi-District Champions. 

   Never in the history of the school has tennis ever come this far in the playoffs. Thanks to Coach Kayla Martin, the Jacket and Honeybees Tennis Team advanced all the way to Area for the first time ever in 2023. Tennis is her passion. She lives for it. She loves her team and her team loves her and her unique coaching style.

   “My coaching style is very different from most. I have high expectations, high energy, and it’s aggressive sometimes. But at the same time I’m very laid back,” Coach Martin said.

   Everyday her players go into practice knowing what to expect. Unlike last year.

   “The coach last year had no structure,” said Martin. The team just went in and hit balls the whole time. There was never actually practicing. With me being here the players know exactly what to expect everyday it’s the same thing. We stretch, run drills and warm up. After that we hit balls.”

   The tennis team is growing everyday. Students are really enjoying tennis this year.

   “Students come to me everyday and ask to join. Word of mouth is very popular in the high school,” Martin said.

   After making it to district, bi-district, and area for the very first time ever, Martin was very excited to know that she influenced these kids.

   “I knew I was proud of them by the first practice,” Martin said. “Making it all the way to area just made me even more proud. We have the potential to win area, but we didn’t win. They’re never seen that level of difficulty before.”

   Off-season is just as much hard work as during the season. She trains them everyday and helps them be better.

   “We don’t have as many players in the off-season but we treat it just the same as during the season,” Martin said.

   The construction of the new tennis court hasn’t started yet. Everyone is very excited to be on their own court.

   “Right now we’re practicing at the city park,” Martin said. “I just checked in with the construction team and it’s supposed to start soon. The building takes 100 days, but they haven’t broken ground yet.”

   The players are very competitive with each other. They can challenge each other to move up.

   “The players with the best stats as of right now are Derrick Hunter, Gabe Cortez, and Aly Foster,” Martin said. “But the players can challenge each other and play a match. If the challenger wins they move up past the person they challenged.”

   When asked what people like most about playing a sport most players will say that it makes them happy. Not Coach Martin.

    “I think the best part about teaching tennis is seeing the players’ faces after winning a game,” Martin said. “It’s all about winning!”