THE TEAM RISES AGAIN B Y JA S H H VA N T H TA M I L S E LVA N
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his was a very tough year. We went was more mini-game styled. But this year is all remote last year, and the seniors different,” explains Parameswaran. This is due didn’t get the grand exit from their to the fact that the captain and coach wantfour years of high school that they ed to make sure that the players were ready deserved. Prom was cancelled. And maybe to face the tougher opponents in the tournathe hardest hit for some students was the canments. cellation of all school sports. 2020 was a very Finally, the team engages in tournatough year, indeed. Yet, we strove to make things better ments. As Parameswaran explained, the team always for ourselves and others for 2021, which includes the “emphasizes winning.” All they want to do is win and restart of sports seasons, including an often overlooked improve their game. One very important aspect of sport in North Royalton a game is the mindset of High School, tennis. the player. If they tense Although the team up and get angry, things did begin a bit later than can go south very quickthe previous year, they are ly. Parameswaran notes, “I still making a big comealways take deep breaths back. As the captain of and stay calm. I try to not the Varsity team, Adhav get frustrated and tightParameswaran said, “All en up. The key is to stay we want to do is win. We loose.” Another aspect is also want to improve ourfocus and determination. selves every game that we The team usually likes to play.” play away games because There are many of the new environment things that Parameswaran and increased focus. FoNRHS Varsity Tennis Team has to do for his team. cus is a very important Parameswaran explained, part that was emphasized “One duty is making sure everyone gets the info I re- by the captain. The team needs “to keep focus at all ceive from the coach. Another duty is holding the team times no matter if I’m losing or winning.” Meanwhile, materials. I hold the ball hopper, med-box, and etc. I there is another dimension to the focus of a player also make sure to keep motivating the team and lead that most people forget: the crowd. A huge crowd them into positive energy that brings the best tennis out can be daunting, but Parameswaran explains that it is of anyone.” all part of the learning curve and that they enjoy the The practices are also an essential component of the crowd cheering them on once they put their focus on team. “We do practices every day where we don’t have the game. a game,” says Parameswaran. The team first starts with Due to these many factors, things are going great for a little warm up, a friendly rally. A rally is where the the tennis team. The varsity team has garnered 8 wins players just hit the ball to each other. It doesn’t matter if and 3 losses. The JV team has garnered 6 wins and 3 the ball goes out of bounds, bounces four times in a row, losses. This is already a great lead for North Royalton or goes to the next court. They just keep on hitting it to and overall a great performance by the tennis teams. each other. Next comes the really fun, and difficult, as- But this isn’t the end of the beloved tennis team. As pect of practice: the match-up games. “This year we put Parameswaran says, “I expect some of our players to a heavy emphasis on match playing because we were a reach states. I also expect a good record from the team young team that needed experience. Previous years it by the end of the season.” THE ROYA L NEWS
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