The Bellevue East boys tennis team is coming to a close on their 2024-2025 fall season. The team had players compete and place in the Metro Tournament, with seniors Jace Taggart and Brandon Tracy both placing. The team as a whole has made itself an inviting family-like community. 

“It’s been a really good year, I’ve had a good year, but then the whole team I think has had a good year,” Taggart said. 

The Bellevue East Boys tennis team has won multiple medals in singles and doubles matches from different invites such as the Bellevue West Invite, Columbus Invite, Lincoln Northeast Invite, and Fremont Invite. Additionally at the Metro Tournament, on October 9-10th, Tracy placed 6th playing #1 singles and Taggart placed 4th playing #2 singles. 

“All of our players have pushed themselves to be better and prove that they can compete with the tough competition that is around the state,” head coach Krista Tew said. “I am extremely proud of Jace Taggart and Brandon Tracy for getting seeds at the Metro Tournament and finishing higher than their earned seeds.” 

For student athletes, senior year means it will be the last time they will play on their team, but it also means new experiences as the leaders of the team. Being a senior on the Boys Tennis team means that players become role models for younger teammates. The seniors help their teammates improve by leading by example and making connections with them 

“So far this year’s highlight has been senior year, so then a lot of new experiences,” Tracy said.                   

Practice for the team is important as it helps the players improve their tennis skills and can be a place to have fun. Practices typically last two hours and include skill work in the form of drills and game play. 

“We are always laughing and having a good time, it really is like a family on this team,” Taggart said. 

The friendships that are made on the court are important to the team dynamic. Returning players such as Tracy and Taggart help to make the team an inviting place to be for new players. 

“It’s been a lot of fun, going into high school; I was super afraid to try new things and tennis has definitely been where I’ve met a lot of fun people, a lot of friends. Every year I got more and more comfortable,” Tracy said. 

Tennis, like any sport, has its physical and mental challenges. The team helps each other through by supporting one another. Taggart explained that the support of the team helps to make him both a better and more competitive player. The seniors also have a drive to play better than their previous seasons since it’s their last season. The drive to win and the support of the team has fueled the seniors.

“I don’t want to go out playing soft, tennis is a big mental game so as soon as you get in your head, it just goes downhill so it’s definitely been motivating because you’re trying to stay confident in the game,” Tracy said. 

The season for the team is drawing to a close. The State Tennis tournament will be on October 21st and 22nd. Players going to state include Tracy, Taggart, Senior Hank Cloyd, Senior Evan Scott, Senior Tanner Miller, and Junior Drew Benne. The team has grown closer together at practices, performed well at tournaments and duals, and have upheld sportsmanship that reflects Bellevue East. 

“Most coaches may want to highlight all the wins that their players earn, but when I look back at this season I think my favorite part is how the team interacted with each other,” Tew said. “They would push each other to get better at practices and cheer loudly for each other during matches. They wanted everyone to succeed, not just themselves.”