For any athlete, experience level dictates challenges; veterans face adversity as they continue to try to improve and/or stay on top, while novices may struggle to learn rules and techniques. With players who are new to the scene and those who with several years under their belts, the Wildcat tennis squad is a diverse team of hard workers and people ready to win.

Sophomore Dylan Shryer, a newcomer to the Wildcats tennis team, is excited to get the season underway with a great team at hand. Shryer, who didn’t play for the school his freshman year, has experience in the sport. After playing club for four years, Shryer got support from the people that he did play with to go out and try out for the team this year.

“I go to a club and my coach wanted me to do it to get more experience playing matches and going to tournaments,” Shryer said. “The team seemed very welcoming and the coach seemed happy for me to be there,” he added.

In Shryer’s first year on the team, he is following the lead of the upperclassmen. One of those leaders is junior Luke David.

“(He) is one of the big leaders of the group. He is also always there to help whenever people need it,” Shryer said.

Senior Jay’von McKinney, a three sport letterman, has developed a unique skill set that has allowed him to accomplish a variety of things as a Wildcat.

“I feel like I have made a big impact on kids who want to pursue more than one sport showing that with time management and with enough patience you can do anything,” McKinney said.

Like many others, McKinney’s road has not been easy. His persistence and willingness to work through problems  has gotten him to where he is now.

“(I’ve been) going through some home stuff and personal issues have affected us all but I mean time management has been the toughest part of my life up to this point,” McKinney said.

The tennis team will begin their season against BSS on March 21.