Tennis - Boys

INFORMATION

updated 5/24/23

Sports Registration opens: July 24th (all sports)

August 17th Fall Registration packets are due to be cleared for the 1st day of fall Sports.  August 21st is the first day of Fall Sports.

ALL students wanting to participate in a Fall Sport must turn in a sports packet to be eligible to participate on the first day.

Registration opens July 24th, for all sports. The link to online registration and new athletic packet is below.

*Note for incoming 9th graders, your sports physicals on file at the Middle School do not transfer to the athletic office. You will need to supply a current physical with your sport packet*

2023-2024 Try out Schedule: 

August 21st-  August 25th(tryouts are the entire 1st week), and August 28th and 29th: * must be present the entire week of tryouts*

Varsity Players(returning team): 8:30 am- 10:00 am

New Players and all new 9th graders: 9:45 am- 11:15 am  

JV 1 Team: 11:00am- 12:30 pm

JV2 Team: 12:15pm - 1:45pm

Wednesday, August 30th ( First day of School): Times are as following

Varsity: 3:15pm- 4:45pm  @ MIHS Courts

JV1 Team: 4:30pm - 5:45pm @ MIHS Courts

JV2 Team- 3:30 - 4:45 pm @ Homestead Courts

RAIN Schedule : TBD

* Boys Tennis will be a cut sport if the number of players trying out exceeds 45.  Team size is variable from year to year because we group together players of similar skill level as part of determining team size.  In general, team size targets will be:  Varsity: 16.  JV1: 22-24  JV2: 20

Fall Sports Parent Meeting: TBD  6pm-8pm, meet in the PAC then break out by individual sports. 

ALL Team photo day: TBD

What Happens at Tryouts?

Tryouts begin with a meeting at the MIHS tennis courts on August 23th. Come ready to play with your racket and a water bottle. There will be a quick coach introduction, a short warm up and then tryouts begin on the courts. If there is rain, we will meet at PEAK. Everyone will be evaluated by all three coaches. We nearly always have rainy days during our first week of tryouts. We do our best to determine teams quickly.

How are Players Evaluated?

In addition to tennis skills, we look at agility, foot speed, balance, general athleticism, attitude, work ethic and enthusiasm for the sport. If we are hampered by rain, the evaluation process may be adjusted and take longer.

Once teams are set, every team will have challenge ladders. This enables players to compete and demonstrate improvement during the season. In some instances, players who emerge at the top of their team through challenges may move up to the next team or play in matches with the next higher team.

How many players are on each team?

Boys tennis will be a cut sport if the number of players trying out exceeds 45.  Team size is variable from year to year because we group together players of similar skill level as part of determining team size.  In general, team size targets will be:  Varsity: 15.  JV1: 15.  JV2: 15

Team size is variable from year to year because we group together players of similar skill level as part of determining team size.  In general team size targets will be:

Varsity 16

JV1 14-18

JV2 14-18

What is the Time Commitment During the Season?

No matter which team you are assigned to, each player should block out 3 p.m.-6 p.m M-F. Everyday must be blocked out for practices and matches through the entire season.   Matches can happen any day of the week and due to rainouts, we can have as many as 3-4 matches a week toward the end of the season.

If you are on Varsity, the post-season might extend until the State Tournament  in May.

What if I have a weekly conflict and will miss a day or part of a practice each week?

Tennis team is not doable for those who have any type of consistent weekly conflict.  Examples of conflicts we do not excuse are Driver’s Ed, non-MIHS Theater, private music lessons, work, club sports, SAT prep and tutoring. We understand that Mercer Island Students have packed schedules, but participating on tennis team requires a full commitment.

What about Academic Conflicts?

Occasional school curriculum conflicts are excused such as MIHS band, drama, DECA or a class trip. Major testing for SAT, ACT and AP are also valid excuses.

If you are unable to commit to tennis team this year we encourage you to continue to enjoy tennis recreationally and tryout for tennis team when your schedule allows it!

What Skills are Required to Make a Team?

In the past tennis has been a “no-cut” sport, but depending on the number who tryout it is possible that there will be cuts.  We do not provide tennis lessons for beginners. If you are still learning tennis, do not know how to serve or score we suggest you continue to work on your game. There are wonderful public tennis centers in our area that provide private and group lessons and court rental  - Amy Yee Tennis Center in Seattle and Robinswood Tennis Center in Bellevue. There are 6 locations with free outdoor public courts on Mercer Island. There are also numerous private clubs and tennis academies in the area.

For your guidance, below is a description of the general skill level we see at each of our team levels:

JV2:

NTRP LEVEL: 2.0

This player needs on-court experience, with an emphasis on play. This player struggles to find an appropriate contact point, needs stroke development/lessons and is not yet familiar with basic positions for singles and doubles.
 
NTRP LEVEL: 2.5

This player is learning to judge where the ball is going when receiving the ball, although movement and recovery are not in sync. Can sustain a rally of slow pace with other players of similar ability and is beginning to develop strokes. This player is becoming more familiar with the basic positions for singles and doubles. This player is ready to play social matches, leagues and low-level tournaments.

Potential limitations: grip weaknesses; not attempting full swing on serve; inconsistent toss on serve; limited transitions to net.

JV1:

NTRP LEVEL: 3.0

This player is fairly consistent when hitting medium-paced shots, but is not comfortable with all strokes and lacks execution when trying for directional control, depth,  pace or altering distance of shots. Most common doubles formation is one up, one back.

Potential limitations: consistency when applying or handling pace; difficulty handling shots “outside of their strike zone”; can be uncomfortable at the net.

NTRP LEVEL: 3.5
 

This player has achieved improved stroke dependability with directional control on moderate shots, but still lacks depth, variety and the ability to alter distance of shots. The effective use of lobs, overheads, approach shots, and volleys is limited due to a lack of confidence. This player is more comfortable at the net, has improved court awareness, and is developing teamwork in doubles.

 
Potential limitations or strengths: “This is the level at which it begins to be about what skills a player can display on court, not what they can’t.” Players at this level may start to utilize mental skills related to concentration, tactics and strategy.

VARSITY:

NTRP LEVEL: 4.0

This player has dependable strokes, including directional control, depth and the ability to alter distance of shots on both forehand and backhand sides during moderately paced  play, plus the ability to use lobs, overheads, approach shots, and volleys with more success. This player occasionally forces errors when serving. Rallies may be lost due to impatience. Teamwork in doubles is evident.

Potential strengths: less likely to beat themselves; more dependable second serve; recognizes opportunities to finish points.
 
VARSITY POST SEASON QUALIFIER:NTRP LEVEL: 4.5

This player has begun to vary the use of pace and spins, has good movement, can control distance and depth of shots, and is beginning to develop game plans according to strengths and weaknesses. This player can hit the first serve with power and accuracy and can place the second serve. This player tends to overhit on difficult shots. Aggressive net play is common in doubles.

Potential strengths: points are won and lost off the serve more often; better able to cover weaknesses; beginning to develop a weapon around which their game can be built.

STATE CHAMPION:

NTRP LEVEL: 5.0

This player has good shot anticipation and frequently has an outstanding shot or attribute around which their game can be structured. This player has the confidence to regularly hit winners or force errors off of short balls and can put away volleys, can successfully execute lobs, drop shots, half volleys, overheads, and has good depth and spin on most second serves.

Potential strengths: better decision making; covers and disguises weaknesses well; mentally tougher, but can still break down in stress situations.