This year, I was the only senior on my tennis team, and I knew that it was inevitable that my tennis career would come to an end. As our season started to die down, the end became real. My doubles partner Natalie and I were wrapping up our last match; our season was officially ending. All the hard work of perfecting my skills will soon be unnecessary. I started to wonder when I will ever actually play tennis again, probably never or at least never on the same level. 

 As we were walking away from the court, I was talking with Natalie about our season and how much I enjoyed playing with her, but then I saw Coach McLean. Seeing Coach McLean made it feel real because every other year I would say that I’d get them next year. I realized then that there would be no next year. I will never play for Park High School again. I have been playing sports since I was five, and it always has been a way for me to stay busy, but now it’s over. I know that there are ways I could play in college, but it still will not be the same. I have to remember to live in the moment and really take in every opportunity when I have it because you never know when it will be the last. 

I am proud to have played for Park High School since freshman year, whether that be on the tennis or volleyball team; I always showed how proud I was to be a Park Panther. I enjoyed meeting new people each year after seniors would leave and making new friends. I enjoyed growing with the sport and learning how to do new moves with tennis. Playing tennis is something that I will never forget about my high school experience and is probably one of the better memories. No matter where I go or end up in life, I will always remember what my coaches and teammates told me on and off the court. Coach McLean always gave me tips on ways I could improve during matches, but she also told me how proud she was of me during my matches. My teammates were always there to encourage me when a match got difficult, just like I was there for them when they needed my encouragement. I will always remember to be a proud Park Panther, no matter where I end up in life.