Junior Emma Osborn has been playing tennis for more than half of her life. Osborn started in kindergarten through camps and instantly fell in love with the sport.

“It seemed cool, and at the time, I wanted to try all sports. I first joined because I had figured out my love for tennis and wanted to share something with my sisters,” said Osborn.

Osborn became a member of the tennis team during third grade as the manager. During her freshman year, Osborn joined varsity playing third singles. In both years that she has played, Osborn won MVP.

Although she loves all of it, Osborn’s favorite part of playing tennis is the adrenaline rush that comes with it.

“During the point, you feel a rush, as if everything is happening so quickly. After the point is over and the time the serve comes, it is like time slows down, and all there is in the world is you and the ball,” said Osborn.

Her favorite memory stems from when she played Providence in a four hour match her sophomore year. Osborn said that the match was very challenging, but it taught her multiple life lessons.

The only thing Osborn wishes was different about tennis is that there were classes.

“In Regional, I could be playing a 3A school, while in other sports you would be playing schools in the same class or division. This may be my least favorite thing, but this encourages me to work harder in order to be even with the higher schools,” said Osborn.

For her junior season, Osborn hopes to beat Jasper, the girls’ tennis rivalry school, and to be first singles.

Osborn said that without her coaches, she would not be where she is today.

“Coach T and Coach Wells continuously push me to be better and have taught me that I will never win without having the mentality of a winner,” said Osborn.  

Story by Rebekah Reeves