Try-Out Information

Jane Borden, USPTA

Once school starts, we will be practicing:  Varsity @ NHS courts 3:50-5:45 PM and JV@ SHS courts 3:50-5:30PM everyday we do not have a match scheduled.  Dismissal/ Departure times for away matches will be between 12:30-1PM….and it depends some on potential construction delays on 322. Home match dismissal is 2:45 PM.

Anyone trying out for the Girls' Tennis Team is required to commit at least 2 -2.5 hours a day to practice and matches from early August to early November.  On certain rare occasions, you will be required to attend multiple-hour events on the weekends.  If your fall schedule does not allow for you to commit this much time to tennis, then you will have to either adjust your schedule or consider trying out for tennis another year when you have more time.

Characteristics of players who have made the team in the past

Over the last few years the State College Girls' Tennis Team has been a very competitive squad at both the district level and the state level.  Because the combined Varsity and Junior Varsity team is limited to 14-24 players and most of those players are very experienced, tryouts are competitive. In years past, most of the players who have made the Varsity team have the following characteristics in common:

Experience: Most varsity players have been playing tennis consistently for at least 3 years.

Regularity: Many players play at least 2 times per week (top players 4-7 times per week) during the summer and about half as much during the winter.

Coaching/Instruction (junior development programs or private lessons): About 40% of all players are regularly involved in junior development programs during the off-season. Most of the top players receive some form of coaching/instruction weekly or biweekly during the off-season.

Competitive play: Most of the players on the lower portion of the JV roster do not play USTA tournaments. Some of the top players compete in USTA Middle States tournaments regularly.

Suggestions to those players who are trying out for the team for the first time:
 

1. Start preparing as early as possible (don't wait until the last minute). In the above section there is information about the habits of players who have made the team in years past. You should begin to adopt some of those habits now. Get involved in junior development and/or private/small group lessons.
2. Play as much as possible when the weather is good.
3. If possible, play matches against other players that are at or above your ability level. There is no substitute for match play.
4. Show up to tryouts in good physical condition (we will do conditioning during tryouts).
5. Bring a positive attitude to tryouts.

 Tryout Process FAQs

Q: How many people are usually on the team?

A: 14-24 total (JV and Varsity)

Rationale:  So that coaches can provide team members with ample individual attention.

Q: How will I be evaluated?
A:

1. Skills Test conducted and evaluated by coaches: For any candidate that was not on the team last year.
2. Challenge Match Results - Challenge matches are matches that you will play against other players (if you’re still in contention after the skills test).  The results of these matches are generally used as the primary selection criterion at this stage in tryouts. Depending on weather and time constraints, you may play various play formats (pro-sets, best of three, etc…)
3. Attitude and Effort - Coaches like to see positive attitudes and lots of effort
4. Potential  -  Do you exhibit athletic qualities that will lead to rapid improvement?

PLEASE READ:
Although all of these criteria will be used, the skills test and challenge match results are generally considered the most critical.   As mentioned above, your grade (9th,10th, etc…) is an important selection criterion. Upperclassmen and  freshman (on occasion) may be cut based only on their skills test performance and attitude if their skills are clearly at the beginning stages of tennis development.

Q: What is the attendance policy?

 

A: Attendance on the first three days of try-outs is mandatory.  Even if your paper work and clearance is incomplete, players must come to try-outs to watch, learn and listen.  Players missing more than 2 try-out sessions or 2 practices(once the team is selected) without prior approval will be dismissed from the team.

What to bring to Tryouts & Challenge Matches

At this time of the year the weather could do just about anything, but it is usually quite hot. Please be prepared for any type of conditions.  In addition to the items that you would normally bring, the below items are highly recommended once challenge matches begin:

Tennis Equipment
•    At least two tennis rackets
•    DO NOT bring tennis balls

Clothing

 Dress appropriately for the weather conditions.

Food and Drink
•    Energy bars, fruit, bagels, etc…
•    One large water bottle. 

 

Other

•    Cell phone (to call home if you finish your matches early)

*   Jump rope, towel, hat