Liberty North Girl’s Tennis team took on Excelsior Springs Tigers Thursday, August 23. They ended with a victory, and the girls worked hard for the win.

“I had to focus on everything we did in practice, but had to be prepared mentally too. Personally, I listen to rock music before a match to focus, then tune out everything I can while I’m playing,” Senior Alyssa Aunspaugh said.

The team has been battling the heat during practice, with practices from 3-5pm every day. Despite the warm temperatures, practice went on and everyone had to prepare for the next match coming up the following Monday.

“During practice, I knew I had to get myself prepared and just practice everything I needed to work on to win. Then the day of the match, during warm ups, I knew I had to mentally get myself ready and then put 100% into the match to beat my opponent,” Sophomore Jordan Haferbier said.

Tennis is mostly a mental sport, and the players have to be able to block everything out and prepare themselves for the next point, instead of being caught up in the previous point. It takes  practice to do so, but it can be done.

“I’ve been working on focusing a lot more and getting mad at the opponent rather than myself. Physically, I’ve been working on my serves and backhand,” Junior Lisa Pendergrass said.

When practice began in the beginning of August, the team knew they had talent and also things to improve on.

“I feel the biggest thing that’s changed from the first day of practice to now is a sense of community. We’ve all become friends, and everybody knows we’re all there for each other for support. We help each other improve and have that bond to help us mentally, which is one of the biggest challenges in tennis,” Aunspaugh said.

No doubt the girls have worked hard and their season should reflect the work they have put into it. Work in the off-season pays off just as much as practice during the season.

“I wish I could have told myself last season that you really need to practice and not just come into it. If you don’t practice, you won’t get to play in any matches. Also, really mentally get into the game because tennis is 90% mental and 10% physical.”