There exists a select few students among the school’s populace, a group who runs forward onto the court when others run away. To them, the whizz of tennis balls aimed in their direction reverberates in their ears as the sound of potential victory. They are the Panthers tennis team.

“When you’re on the court, you can’t depend on other people,” junior Cary Milanes said.

This individual drive pushes every member of the tennis team forward and has done so for the past five years that the team has gone all the way to state competitions. Coach Kelly Gibson set this high standard for her team when she answered the call for a tennis coach in 2008. Since then, she has worked to form the strongest team possible.

“You have to be a competitive tennis player or you’re not going to make it,” Coach Gibson said.

Her efforts have not been in vain. The team has gone undefeated since their season began on February 6. Their powerhouse of talented players has defined many seasons. Although, the team does not typically even prepare for matches as a unit.

“Our team does not practice as a team which is unusual,” junior Daniel Trainor said. “But we tend to call up one another to  “hit” with each other.”

Even after the loss of many veteran members, the team pushes forward. However, the end of the high school careers of the older members has allowed growth for beginning players.

“It is a very young team,” Coach Gibson said. “But the new freshmen are key to developing the team further.”

Most members of the team would agree the age should not make a difference as a majority of the players began as young as five years old.

The concept of the furthering the success of the group encourages many of the members. Whether the strength of the individual or of the whole pushes the team, the team hopes to go through it all together.

“I’m expecting some good matches, having a lot of fun with teammates and going far as a team.” sophomore Stephanie Levine said.