Close-knit seniors add strength, experience to boys tennis program
![Then junior, Brandon Murrell, crushes a ball at the net while doubles partner, junior Cody Murrell, waits for the return at the Newton Invitational April 8th 2016.](https://railernews.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Murrell-Bros.jpg)
Then junior, Brandon Murrell, crushes a ball at the net while doubles partner, junior Cody Murrell, waits for the return at the Newton Invitational April 8th 2016.
Senior year is the last high school experience to mark down in the books, from pranks and prom, to the last match or game. For the seniors of the boys tennis team, the family they have built together is as valuable as a state title win.
“We really think of ourselves as a close knit family, and by we, I mean Me, Max, Jordan, Brandon, Jason, Seth, all of our tennis players. We think of ourselves as a homegrown team, rather than living in tennis clubs. We really push each other to be better, in our little set of six, JV and Varsity. We push each other to be better because we care about how we do as a team rather than just individually,” senior Cody Murrell said.
Along with the family the boys have put together over the past four years, they not only have gained a new sense of leadership, but have also realized the importance of enjoying the game of tennis.
“I mean probably the greatest thing about the seniors is both their experience and their leadership because they’ve been a part of some really competitive state teams. I would say genuinely, it’s very visible when they play that they really enjoy the game. They enjoy the game of tennis, they enjoy the competition, but more than anything they enjoy playing,” varsity tennis coach Nick Sisson said.
For senior Jordan Singh, after playing tennis for ten years and continuing his career at Bethel College next fall, he does not fear the realization of the last playing moments. It is more about the last moments with the team.
“I’m not dreading my last match or something like that. I’m more dreading the last van ride we take up. Where it’s more about the team. The last team moments will be harder than the last playing moments. We have a real close knit group of players and I don’t know if, I go to Bethel, if it will be quite the same. I’m really sort of cherishing this last season for that main reason,” Singh said.
After working together with both Sisson and Scott for countless hours on and off season, their approach to the game is what Sisson will miss the most about the group of seniors.
“I can’t pick one thing that I’m going to miss the most, but they definitely bring an attitude to a team that says I wanna succeed and I’m willing to work hard for it. I’m also going to enjoy this while it’s here. Their personalities are so different, but there’s such a nice mix, I’m going to miss the attitude and the atmosphere that they bring,” Sisson said.
![Photo of Faye Smith](https://railernews.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/HA3_7577-475x339.jpg)
This is Faye's third year on staff and serves as the Editor-in-Chief. Faye is President of the Newton FFA Chapter officer team, as well as multiple 4-H...