Being a doubles tennis player means you compete with a partner… but this year most of the varsity team began making the tough transition into singles tennis play.

The returning players include junior Darby Minter and sophomores Amy Lynn and Mary Mael. All three played doubles tennis last year and were faced with converting to singles play for the first time in their high school careers.

Playing doubles tennis requires teamwork. However, now the players are forced to adapt and change their habits of play. “I would say I am satisfied with my play,” says Minter. “Since this is my first year playing singles, I am only getting the hang of things, and I have exceeded my expectations.”

All the girls who switched are expected to come across rough patches and change their playing style. “We kind of prepare differently,” says Minter. “We just work more on consistency and getting better at what we already know.”

It’s natural to feel pressure as a member of a team of two. But how does this change when the spotlight is on one person instead of several? “I feel more pressure as a singles player,” says Lynn. “The other players rely on us to win. Since we are ranked higher, we are expected to play better. The opponents play differently so we have to change how we play.”

Singles tennis and doubles tennis have their differences. “Singles tennis is much more different from doubles,” says Mael. “It is more time actually playing tennis. It isn’t much harder but there is no one to back you up.”

Obviously winning is the key objective for any sport. However, the most important aspect of any game is if it is enjoyable. “I enjoy singles tennis,” says Mael. It would be obvious that the girls like playing. That’s why they continued on this year.

Overall, this experience should give the girls a chance to improve their skills and become well rounded players.