The Athens Drive High School men’s tennis team is competing this spring in a conference against other local schools. They faced off against Green Hope High School at 3:30 p.m., April 19. Green Hope beat Athens 9-0 at the tennis match. However, the Athens Drive High School men’s tennis team does not have any seniors this season.

“The biggest strength of the tennis team is that they all really love to play the game,” said Jeremy Fullbright, coach. “Being a young team with no seniors and having the passion amongst the 22 players bodes well for the future.”

The men’s tennis coach is also a football coach for Athens Drive High School.

Because they have so many underclassmen, they will likely get better as they get older and practice more.

“I think it is a growing program with all the freshman that came in this year, in three years we are looking to be one of the top teams in the area,” said Chetwynd.

This involves a lack of experience playing tennis, experience the team will gain over time and with practice. Fullbright’s coaching philosophy is focused on the players improving their skills and having fun playing tennis.

“I want every player to have a great experience and improve over the course of the season,” said Fulbright.

He had a strategy for the tennis match against Green Hope High School.

“Compete for every point and try to have a better score differential than we did in the last game with Green Hope,” said Fullbright.

The tennis match against Green Hope High School started April 19 at 3:30 p.m. and ended at 5:04 p.m. the same day. The match was a home game for Athens Drive High School. The players volleyed the balls across the six tennis courts beside the new stadium. During the match, the Green Hope High School men’s tennis team consistently had an advantage, and won all nine games in the match.

“I think the changes that actually happened this year with all the new people that came   into play was the change that we needed from the years before and we are just growing now,” said Chetwynd.