The Ironton High School Fighting Tigers tennis team is getting ready for an exciting upcoming season, pushed by the momentum of last year’s phenomenal performance. Coach Lovell Medcalf said the team’s success can be credited to their dedication and constant hard work. “Seeing that the hard work pays off has allowed them to feel confident that they can compete with anyone and has made them want to work even harder to see how far they can make it,” said Medcalf.
In tennis, believing in yourself is key, and confidence can make or break a player. Confidence and consistency played a huge role in the team’s impressive tournament run last year. The team went into each match with a game plan and the ability to execute it effectively.
With the return of their top three senior players, Medcalf expects to have a lot of leadership to guide the team. “Having our top three players back this season will be a huge help, especially as seniors showing the younger players what it takes to succeed at a high level,” he said.
Medcalf and the returning seniors know that their goals, such as advancing to state, will be hard to achieve, but they are ready to put in the effort and dedication needed to make it and show everyone their full potential. Senior Eli Ford shared his personal goals for the season: “I want to win districts and make it to state. I’m also working on my consistency, playing smarter and getting mentally stronger because lord knows I need it.”
Medcalf encourages new students to come out this upcoming season to have fun and enjoy learning how to play the sport of tennis. With determination and strong leadership, the tennis team is set for another promising season.
