Unlike most high school sporting events, tennis is as civilized as a UN assembly meeting. You will find no referees hollering to each other, nor will you hear any shouting from anyone, surprisingly. The only noise you will hear is the light chatter of spectators, tennis shoes squeaking against the court, and players congratulating their opponents (yes, that actually happens). While no stands for viewers are in place, spectators make use of the away side bleachers in Rocket Stadium and look down into the courts from their ingenious location. Rather than the typical blankets and scarves donned by fans at a Friday night football games, a plethora of umbrellas and sunhats fill the stands, so as to ward off the sweltering heat. The players begin their match at their own discretion, and keep their own scores. Unlike most competitive sports, a great deal of trust is endowed in the players themselves.

That is what appeals to me most about tennis: the civility the players, and spectators, all hold for one another. While I will admit I enjoy listening to the student section at a hockey game exclaim rather creative statements about the other team, it is satisfying to see an example of true sportsmanship exhibited. On top of that, both the Varsity and JV Girls’ Tennis teams continue to dominate from Fond du Lac to Appleton. Should you have the time, I definitely recommend going out and supporting the Girls’ Tennis teams in their march to, yet another, state title.