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Two club tennis members strategize a drill during team practice Feb. 4. (Chase Keller<\/a>)<\/p>\nIn preparation for an event like this, everyone has their own tips on staying focused, especially in high-pressure moments.<\/p>\n
\u201cI just tell myself to be clearheaded and to leave it all on the court. Give it all I got,\u201d Helmenstine said.<\/p>\n
For some, focus comes in fleeting moments, when instinct takes over and the outside noise fades.<\/p>\n
\u201cI feel the most locked in when I am in the middle of a point,\u201d Seaver said. \u201cIt\u2019s like my mind clears up and my body just moves to where it needs to be.\u201d<\/p>\n
Maintaining that clarity isn\u2019t always easy. The sport\u2019s obvious competitive nature can heighten frustration just as quickly as it fuels motivation, forcing players to constantly walk a fine line between ambition and fun.<\/p>\n
\u201cI often find myself getting frustrated with myself for not playing to where I want to be,\u201d Seaver said. \u201cThis, I\u2019ve found, normally leads to more mistakes and gets me more frustrated, and it repeats. I remind myself that I am playing the sport because I find it fun.\u201d<\/p>\n
The competition itself proved to be demanding as expected, but the team measures success beyond just these scores. Tournaments like Madison highlight what personal growth players are looking for and how that translates into overall team development. There\u2019s a lot to be learned about yourself as an individual athlete and as a player on a team during these competitions. Especially when they are designed at a high intensity.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am aiming to change most of my game,\u201d Seaver said. \u201cI believe that this will make me worse in the short term, but once I get used to the changes, I will be much more improved. One specific thing I want to change is my service motion. I want to make it more fluid, so I have more power.\u201d<\/p>\n
That same long-term goal thinking extends into leadership within the club. Helmenstine views organization and structure as key to helping the team beyond just the spring season.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy goals for the club as a whole this semester is to make sure I leave it in a way to where it\u2019s able to prosper with the incoming leadership,\u201d Helmenstine said. \u201cMy personal goal kind of runs hand-in-hand with that. Just to get some general organization of practice. Sometimes it feels all over the place.\u201d<\/p>\n
Reflection is crucial in any type of competitive environment, especially when you\u2019ve been doing it for years. As you grow up, your love for the sport also shifts, letting you redefine why you\u2019re even doing it.<\/p>\n
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A club tennis member winds up to return a ball during a team practice Feb. 4. (