This past week, the tennis courts at Homestead High School have been occupied by the boys tennis team as they prepare to begin their upcoming 2025 spring season.
On Friday, April 11, the varsity boys tennis team takes the courts for the first time this season where they will battle Brookfield Central. The team has been spending their time preparing for this match led by head Coach Jackie Egelhoff.
The team sets goals in hopes of having a triumphant season.
“Our goal will be to have fun, support each other, play as a team, try to improve every day, and try 100 percent in all matches. With that we will be successful,” Egelhoff said.
Even underclassmen players are making goals of success.
“I think our biggest goal as a team is to make it to State and hopefully win it as we put a lot of effort into practicing every day,” Dima Tamarkin, sophomore, said.
The group is looking to achieve great things during this season, ending with finishing their season at State.
A few goals are to “get as many players as we can to Individual State and qualify the entire team to Team State,” Egelhoff said.
Along with positive intentions for State, the team is looking to continue their success at the conference tournament. “One goal the team has for this season is to win conference. We won it last year and are hoping for a two-peat,” Melvin Wu, senior, said.
M. Wu and his twin brother, Edwin Wu, are looking forward to being able to spend their last season playing together. “I’m pumped to team up with my twin brother, Melvin, in doubles — our secret weapon is our twin telepathy — to win crucial matches,” E. Wu said.
Seniors on the team are looking to demonstrate a positive example for the other players. “The leadership of players from last year will be important. They will practice with them and be supportive on and off the court,” Egelhoff said.
E. Wu agrees with this sentiment: “As the team captain, I want to establish a lasting impact on my fellow teammates and the program.”
Challenges are expected as the team’s season progresses and anticipation for later matches builds.
“Staying mentally sharp and focused will be the most formidable challenge this season, especially during the latter stages of the season when pressure and nerves start to rise since that is when qualifying for the State Tournament begins,” E. Wu said.
Tamarkin remarks on a similar challenge of “keeping our mentality up in tough moments throughout the season, even if we lose games.”
