Kankakee Valley High School

It was a very busy Saturday at KV, with many sports just starting their seasons. Baseball and softball games began before Lake Central arrived for today’s tennis match, with bursts of music playing at different times and cheers from the crowd filling the air. The clouds helped shield the sun, and while it was a little chilly when everyone first arrived, the wind was calm and warming up on the court felt nice. This wasn’t supposed to be the first match of the season, but rain canceled the previous one. Because of that, the whole team was able to be together to kick off the season, instead of only part of the team traveling to another school. Some girls went to check out the waffle truck provided by the athletic department as a token of appreciation for staff, offering employees a coupon for a free treat. The truck was quickly surrounded and even ran out of some topping choices early on. I’d say that really shows just how good they were! The girls brought a lot of excitement and passion as we grouped up after announcements. They were nervous, of course, but couldn’t wait to hit the courts and meet their Lake Central opponents. Many JV players competed in their first-ever match, learning just how essential it is to support your doubles partner and find ways to slow yourself down. It’s easy to get jittery and smack the ball, forgetting your training, but the girls adjusted and played very well. Freshman Ellie Foster even shared how she observed different ways her opponents calmed themselves, such as bouncing or turning their racket in their hands while waiting. She tried it herself and felt it was a helpful habit to develop. #2 doubles players McKayla Nuss and Sophia LeGrand played a long, competitive match. All varsity matches had ended by the time their final tiebreaker finished. It was an extremely hard-fought match, as Lake Central proved to be a well-rounded team. They pushed our Kougars to play their very best, and even though we did not come away with a victory, the girls were still full of smiles. They recognized that the day was a valuable learning experience and that we now have a clearer idea of what to focus on in practice next week. Coach DeVries encouraged the girls to close out the meeting loud and proud because they had a lot to feel good about, and they did not disappoint. —JV Coach Anderson