My name is Megan Schweitzer and I am a senior at Pitman High School. I first joined Pitman’s Girls Tennis team when I was a freshman and have been on the team for all four years of high school.
Like most student athletes, I look forward to my athletic period every day. Over the years, I have grown close with my team and have created connections with each teammate individually. Despite the tough losses we have cultivated a strong and positive environment.
We focus on building each other up consistently throughout our practices and competitions, always encouraging one another to perform to the best of their ability. Regardless of the outcome, we will always congratulate the player for their dedication and effort as they strive to perform at their highest level.
Similar to every sport, tennis is not just a physical challenge but a mental challenge as well. If you lose motivation and no longer believe you can win then you will ultimately lead to your own downfall.
Like most sports, the game of tennis consists of having a strong mindset by maintaining self confidence and avoiding harsh self criticism.
I have come to realize that even when I am down in the game it is crucial to treat each point as a new opportunity by not allowing previous mistakes to affect my current performance.
After a missed shot it is essential to analyze the cause of the mistake and to attempt that specific shot again.
As a team, we have learned the importance of refreshing our mental state between points to stay focused on the current point. We understand the value of supporting each other, regardless of the situation of the match.
Furthermore, my team has developed the understanding of embracing new strategies when we aren’t comfortable with them and striving to learn new techniques.
Throughout the years, Pitman’s Girl Tennis team has created a unique bond among all of our members. We have cultivated a safe and open environment for the entirety of the team.
This allows us to conversate about our own challenges with the game and openly discuss areas of improvement. We listen and share constructive feedback and advice to each other to progress.
Over the years, tTennis has become an enjoyable hobby for me that I have grown passionate for. I look forward to my practices every day to work on my flaws and to improve my overall skill set.
Tennis has become a time where I forget about everything else and only focus on the sport. My mind is completely clear during this time and it becomes a period of fun and relief.
I am incredibly grateful for having the opportunity to participate in a sports team and to have the experience of being on a high school team.
Throughout the years, I have learned important lessons and have gained useful knowledge from being on this team that I can use outside of tennis. With this knowledge I have formed skills that help me to overcome challenges and to experiment with new strategies.