Backbone of the team

Senior Taylor Kramer prepares to rip a forehand.

Thomas Hoatson

Senior Taylor Kramer prepares to rip a forehand.

The motto for this year’s North Platte High School Girls Tennis Team is “spine”. Spine is an acronym for Support, Passion, Integrity, Nobility, and Effort. According to head coach John Lehmer, these principles are the “backbone” of his team.

Senior Taylor Kramer said, “Our motto states what it is we stand for. It’s the basic things that we think are important.” The team plays around these principals in their matches and strive to hold each other to these standards.

Freshman Jenna Hoover practices being aggressive at the net.
Thomas Hoatson
Freshman Jenna Hoover practices being aggressive at the net.

With ten seniors on the team, leadership is very important. “They set the tone for the entire team,” said Lehmer. Freshman Jenna Hoover said, “They [the seniors] know what it’s like to be a freshman playing, so they’re very supportive and always push us to do our best.” Tennis is played with one or two teammates on the court at once, so sometimes it feels like an individual sport. “I think we’ve tried to make it more like a team. With thirty plus girls it has always been a little individual, but we are trying to give each other help and tips so we can all improve.” said Kramer.