6
SPORTS
BEAR FACTS
TENNIS
As a matter of fact, this was the first time the Varsity Tennis team went beyond District level competition. “Yeah, I never thought we would grow past district,’’ said Charles Demdem, varsity tennis player.” We played for many years and now we’ve become very good to go pass District. We train every day and put in the hard work. Endurance training, coordination, reflexes, speed, and practicing technique go in hand to what we do everyday. Some skills a bit more than others depending on what we needed to work on from the last game.” As far as competition goes, players said the tension was overwhelming due to the stakes this event had. Mistakes could ruin the team’s hard work and preparation for this moment. For varsity tennis players, how they handled this was crucial. “Even if everyone says
you’ll lose, the moment you believe that is when you really lose,’’ said Valdez. “We win these games not just physically but mentally as well. We play a mental game with ourselves and our opponents in these matches to win”. Everybody is different in
NOVEMBER 2019
SPIKE, SET, DESTROY
what I would have to lose if I didn’t give it my all. That’s Student athlete talks college ambitions because like all my other matches, I always play with my full potential and playing with a purpose to keep improving myself ”. During stressful times, having a mentor can be critical. The players believe their coaches do their best to allow them to see the hope within themselves. “On the bus to our regional matches with By Lily Tran what is the back up plan? Many times when students Clear Falls, our coachAsia Ashton Hastings volplay sports in high school es were our biggest leyball player says, “[she] because they enjoy and love plans to major in education motivators,’’ said it, but would they still want at Prairie View A&M UniValdez. “Coach Davis to play after high school and Nguyen gave us a versity.” as their career? Very few motivational speech, Ashton is currently a junior students that play in high everyone hyped each who plays as an outside hitschool play in college or other up, slapping ter on the volleyball team. professionally, because each other’s backs and She is very passionate about there are so many people cheering along the way.” volleyball, and would “love competing for a spot on the Many sports teams have to play in college.” team. their own trademark chant NCAA states that only “A little over 7% of high that they would usually “3.9% of volleyball girl school athletes (about 1 cheer before a big game and players get to compete in 14) went on to play a the Bears at the regionals NCAA” even less get to a varsity sport in college and game were no different. D1 school. less than 2% of high school Even though Ashton’s “We do have a chant,’’ said athletes (1 in 54) went on Demdem. chances are low she still to play at NCAA Division I “It usually means as a way works hard to accomplish schools” reported Scholarfor the opponent to think her goals. As of right now, shipstats.com in 2016-2017 we play bad. It goes 1, 2, 3 her goal is to have “five kills school year. Boo Boo Bears!” each game and get a posiUnless they have amazing tion as a left-side hitter.” So, stats, D1 schools will not what’s next for other atheven look at the student. So letes and their future?
Even if everyone says you’ll lose, the moment you believe it... that is when you really lose. how they prepare for their challenges that come on stage For Nguyen, it was an experience that he was familiar with. “To be honest, I’ve always thought of big matches like regionals as another regular match,’’ said Nguyen. “It’s so that the tension wouldn’t be so huge. I would think back to the training and
Above left: Athletes are greeted by cheering classmates as leave campus for regionals.
Photo by: Leah Renteria-Caicedo
Above right: Coach Martel cheers for the varsity tennis players.
Photo by: Leah Renteria-Caicedo
Left: Varsity tennis players show no signs of fear as they prepare to leave on the bus.
Photo by: Leah Renteria-Caicedo
