With spring sports in bloom, tennis season is starting. Tryouts took place throughout late January, giving PHU students the opportunity to show off their skills in hopes of being selected to represent their school at this season’s matches. In these interviews, the talented tennis players of PHU share their excitement to have been selected for the team.

Hailey Sherrell (‘22): 

1. How long have you been playing tennis? 

“I’ve been playing for about fourteen years.”

2. How do you feel to be on the tennis team this year? 

 “I’m excited! I love the girls on the team and I think we have a very strong team this year.”

3. What are you most excited for this season? 

“I’m most excited for the chance to work on my doubles skills.”

4. What is it like being a senior on the team/having previous experience on the team?

“It’s great because I don’t have to worry as much about how everything works and I can just focus on my game.” 

5. How do you feel to have a sister on the team?

“My sister and I get along really well, so it’s fun to have another friend on the team. She’s also a great player!”

Jacqueline Sherrell (‘25):

1. How long have you been playing tennis?

“I’ve been playing tennis off and on since I was about four, but I got back into it about a year and a half ago.”

2. How do you feel to be on the tennis team this year?

“I feel pretty excited to be on the team, not just to play, but for the team dynamic as well because everyone on the team is so nice and I think we will all work well together.”

3. What are you most excited for this season?

“I’m most excited to just play with everyone this year because I think our skill levels are pretty evenly matched so it will be interesting to see what happens when matches start.”

4. What is it like being a senior on the team/having previous experience on the team?

“Being a freshman on the team is interesting because I don’t really feel like my interactions with the players on the team are that different, but since I wasn’t on the team last year, my interactions with the coach are a bit different.”

5. How do you feel to have a sister on the team?

“Having a sister on the team is actually a lot of fun, especially since she’s a senior. I’m getting to spend more time with her outside the house and getting to see her in a different environment, so I think it will make the season more fun!”

Nico Belongie (‘25):

1. How long have you been playing tennis? 

“I’ve been playing tennis about once a week for six or seven years.”

2. How do you feel to be on the tennis team this year? 

“I was really nervous at the beginning of the season because I didn’t know how I’d measure up against people my same age since I really don’t play with others that often. Now that I’m on the team, I’m relieved that the other players aren’t as terrifying as imagined and that I can keep up. I’m really having a great time and though I’m anxious about tournaments, I’m really excited to play and see how I do!”

3. What are you most excited for this season? 

“This season, I am most excited to actually play with new, better people and improve in the process. In just these few weeks, I’ve already learned to play better and know what I need to work on. I think that by the end of the season, I will be much better and that I can take my new skills back to my regular tennis lessons.”

4. What is it like being a freshman on the team? 

“Being a freshman, at least on the boys’ team, isn’t really a complicating factor. Several players are freshmen, and it’s not uncomfortable to play with people older than us. Of course, being shorter is a disadvantage, but older students do what they can to make the tennis experience fun.”

Trevor Stinson (‘24):

1. How long have you been playing tennis?

“Just about a year now. I started shortly after the 2021 season started, so I missed my chance to play on the PHU team. I saw that as a great opportunity to practice and prepare myself for the next year’s season, playing local youth clinics, then eventually taking private lessons.”

2. How do you feel to be on the tennis team this year? 

“I am so hyped to be a part of the team. I can’t wait to put my practice to the test, and work with my team. At the same time, I am really nervous. I have no idea what to expect.” 

3. What are you most excited for this season? 

“I’m excited to work with my team, learn new skills, and improve my technique.”

Go support our tennis team in this season’s matches. Go Canes!