We asked SJO Tennis Coach Kevin Martlage five questions. Here are his answers.
What does it mean to you to see the program grow the way it has?
It is incredible to see the program continue to grow over the past three years. The support of the community, the players, the parents, and the school has been tremendous and I cannot be more appreciative of everyone that has been involved and continues to be involved. When I think back about our first season and the 10 players that helped to start this program and the 47 that have played over the last 2 years it just simply makes me smile. It is so cool to see the kids pick up a racquet for the first time and then win a match a few weeks later or obtain 4th place, as a team, in our sectional like we did last year. While seeing them win is great, the most important thing to me is that these kids are having the opportunity to learn a new sport and develop a passion for something that they can play for the rest of their lives. Tennis is not an easy sport to learn, but these kids have hit it head-on and continue to compete with some of the best players and programs in the area. Win or lose, it is just so cool to be able to provide that opportunity to these kids as they continue to learn and love the game of tennis.
What was it like for you as a coach to see the girls keep improving and working hard all season?
That is a great question and is probably the best part about all of this. I don’t think people realize the amount of work that goes into learning and playing tennis. It is not an easy sport to learn, let alone play, and given there are only two divisions for girls’ tennis in the state of Illinois, you are going up against very good, established programs every match. The dedication and work these kids put into learning and playing a sport they have never played is quite honestly incredible. For anyone that watches our matches or practices, it is easy to see that they are out there simply to work hard for the love of the game, the ability to learn something new, and for each other. That commitment and dedication has helped to build a foundation for us to continue to grow as a team, not only this year but for many years to come. Tennis is interesting in that it not only takes physical skill and mechanics, but it is also a very mental game that requires you to play one point at a time and adjust to your opponent as you progress through your match. While our athletic ability and skill as players continues to grow, it is the mental strength and determination of these kids that continues to just amaze me each and every season. They are certainly becoming better tennis players, but they are also building up a mental toughness that will continue to translate into bigger and better things off the court long after high school.
How much progress has the team made from the first game back in August to now?
We continue to progress as a team each and every day. My goal for each of the players is to put forth the effort to play better today than you did yesterday. The only way you can continue to do that is to play every point to your potential, stay mentally tough, and continue to drive towards your goals. As a team we only had 5 returning players from last year and 22 new players who have never picked up a racquet before this summer. The progress we have made since August has been great and I am pleased with how we continued to advance individually and as a team. While we may not be winning every match, we have continued to develop our skills to help set us up for sectionals and continued success in the future. I am extremely proud of this team and the previous 2 teams we have had as a program and I cannot wait to see how we continue to grow and advance as we head into sectionals and the future.
Why do you think so many girls are interested in tennis?
Plain and simple … It is something new and a way that they can represent their community, the school, and each other by playing a sport that they can honestly play for the rest of their lives. I think that tennis is one of those sports that aligns with the famous line in Field of Dreams, “If you build it they will come.” This is evident not only in how many players continue to come out year over year, but also evident in the fact that we had 22 new players this year with 8 of them being freshmen that had not even attended SJO high school. The numbers we continue to see and the excitement that continues to build around a new sport is a huge driver in why I think so many girls want to give it a try. We have fun, we work hard and we are building a supportive and nurturing environment that is allowing kids to get outside of their comfort zone and experience a new sport. It also has a lot to do with the current and past players that are continuing to increase the interest level. I personally have never once asked someone to come out for the team, I certainly tell them about it if they ask, but it is the players, the parents, and the community that continue to drive interest and help to make it appealing to so many. I think it also helps that we have the opportunity to practice and play at a world-class facility like the Atkins Tennis Center at the U of I. It is pretty cool to practice and play where the Illini play and see the Illini players on a daily basis. Other than that it is simply a fun game to play and watch. Once people realize that you kind of become addicted to it and want to get others involved.
Why do you like coaching tennis at SJO?
The kids. Having the opportunity to serve them by teaching them a game I played when I was their age is quite honestly the best. When you get to see them pick up that racquet for the first time and struggle to hit a forehand or serve, but continue to work hard to gain the knowledge and skill to hit that first great forehand and win that first point, it doesn’t get much better than that. Additionally, it is about helping to build a sustainable program that continues to provide the opportunity to so many kids that may or may not have gone out for a sport. I know that these kids could be out there playing another sport or doing something else but they want to play tennis which is something that drives me to continue to support and grow that passion they are bringing to the court each and every day.
You must be logged in to post a comment.