A sport, consisting of just a ball and racket, means more than that for the boy’s varsity tennis coach, John Vanalst. Members of
the team have found increased success by working together and having support from many upperclassmen. This year’s accomplishments have shown with a MAC RED Championship this season for the first time in more than 20 years.
Coaching at Grosse Pointe North since 2008 and leading the varsity team since 2011, Vanalst has earned the reputation of a true tennis expert from the team. Throughout the season, he has experienced the team’s ups and downs, providing him with strategies for further accomplishments.
“During the course of this year the teams have found their legs, how to play,” Vanalst said. “They’ve kind of forgotten how to play during the off-season, so in the first couple matches they were a little bit raw and unprepared to play matches so as the season went on they are a lot more confident, a lot better play, smarter play, higher percentage play.”
Playing tennis his whole high school career, senior Gru Yerramalli has stepped into his role as captain ever since the beginning of this season. Every team needs a leader and Yerramalli took on this role with a positive attitude and focused agenda to aid the rest of the team.
“It feels great to be captain, it’s good to be the person to make sure everyone is kind of staying on task and being focused,” Yerramalli said. “But really it’s all the seniors that are captains this year, they’re all doing their job to make sure we are doing the best we can this season.”
Through practice and team bonding, the team has grown together as athletes as well as created everlasting friendships. The team’s friendship is what contributes to their achievements, according to Yerramalli. Apart from physical ability to play tennis, there is more to success than just athleticism.
“This year the team has definitely grown from the beginning, definitely grew closer connection to each other, just keeping each other up not letting each other get mad and stuff,” Yerramalli said. “We’ve definitely grown a lot.”
(Photo credit: Everley Aldridge)
After watching the boys in and out of the season, Grosse Pointe South senior Mia Fakih was given the opportunity to be a team manager this season. Hitting with the players during practice and seeing them at their highs and lows has allowed Fakih to see both the stress and the triumph.
“If I know these guys one thing is that they never give up, so win or lose they’ll be playing their best foot forward,” Fakih said.
The boy’s whole season has been filled with many achievements, but a standout moment was their victory of Mac Red. Through hard work and determination, Fakih notices this team has not only ended a losing streak but has made new beginnings.
“This team is improving like crazy, they just won the Mac Red, which a North team hasn’t won the Mac Red in quite some time,” Fakih said.
