A sharp thwack breaks the silence across the court as strings junior Adam Akhrass and tennis co-captain and band senior Phillip Margolis volley back and forth, their sneakers dusted with clay as they skid across the court. After last year’s season ended just short of a district title, the tennis team is focused on making a “deeper run” at districts this year.

Team practices and home games take place at The Tennis Club of Palm Beach every Monday and Wednesday from 4:15 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tennis games are typically on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. During practices, the team will play singles and doubles matches, and participate in tennis drills together in order to improve their skills.

“Playing tennis growing up at centers, you don’t get to play as a team,” Margolis said. “(On the team), you have that aspect of practicing with friends. (When I started), I knew a couple of kids already on the team, and they kind of mentored me and helped me train and get better.”

Tennis coach and Spanish teacher Marina Ratchford said she emphasizes to the team that “success is not just about skill, it’s also about mental strength.” Tennis has been a part of Coach Ratchford’s life since she was six years old. At 13, she started playing tournaments in Buenos Aires, and by 16, she was traveling internationally in the South American Tennis Confederation Junior Tour (COSAT). Come time for college, Coach Ratchford wrote handwritten letters to schools in the U.S., “(hoping) for responses.” Eventually, this led her to play Division I at the University of Kentucky. She now seeks to encourage the team members to develop their skills and confidence on the court through head-to-head practice and training.

“You have to come in ready to compete, both physically and mentally,” Coach Ratchford said. “That’s what separates the good players from the great ones.”

As for Margolis, who has been playing competitively since sixth grade, stepping into the role of co-captain alongside band senior Jacob Anuar has given him new responsibilities.

“If matches end early, you go over, cheer (for your teammates) when they win a point, tell them they’ve got the next one if they lose a point,” Margolis said. “Little things, repeated, show people that you care and that you want them to do better, and that seems to have an effect on them.”

Margolis said he believes the bond among players is “strong.” That sense of teamwork is something digital media junior Cecily Mendelson, who is entering her third year on the team, said is a “motivator” for her to “give (her) all” in every match.

“We’re a close-knit team,” Cecily Mendelson said. “We watch each other’s matches and push each other to become the best players we can be.”

Cecily Mendelson joined the team following in the footsteps of her older sisters, Gianna Mendelson and Isabella Mendelson, both of whom also played on the team. Growing up, the three of them trained together.

“We’ve been playing tennis together ever since we were little kids,” Cecily Mendelson said. “It was really nice to have them on the tennis team with me because I got to watch them play, they got to watch me play, and we just encouraged each other from the sidelines.”

Though they graduated and no longer play for the team, their presence has always encouraged Cecily Mendelson to “try her hardest.”

“I’ve always wanted to be at their level,” Cecily Mendelson said. “And just when I’m in a match and I see myself getting stressed out, I’ll look at them on the sidelines, and they’ll be there to calm me down. And sometimes they give me tips after, which can frustrate me because they’re not my coach. But I really appreciate it in the long run because I know they just want the best for me.”

Margolis said that the teams’ main goals for the season are winning more matches than last year and improving during practices. To do this, some members of the team are reflecting on last season. Cecily Mendelson said her “biggest challenge” last season was maintaining her confidence on the court.

“Sometimes, I would get super nervous, and when I messed up, it was disappointing, not just for me, but for the whole team,” Cecily Mendelson said. “I’ve learned to just take my time while getting on the court, make sure to take water breaks, make sure to breathe, make sure to bounce the ball, manage my nerves, and deal with the stress of playing not only for myself but for my teammates. This year, I hope to be able to secure more wins.”

Going into his third year on the team with eight years of experience, Akhrass said he believes mindset is key to success in high-pressure moments. In tennis, the speed of the game demands quick reflexes, as players often face serves exceeding 60 miles per hour, leaving them with milliseconds to react. 

“Tennis is really a mental battle,” Akhrass said. “You have to hype yourself up (and) think positively. If you tell yourself you suck, you’re going to suck.”

Band freshman Nathaniel Ratchford, Coach Ratchford’s son, is stepping into his first high school season with a shared goal of bringing the team to the state championship and other tournaments. After working with his mom on his serve technique, Ratchford said he felt “pretty prepared” going into tryouts. 

“She’s always a good match for me whenever I feel like playing, so it’s definitely an advantage for me,” Nathaniel Ratchford said. “Even when I’m down (in tennis matches), I think, ‘Just keep your head in the game and don’t focus on the score. Just keep playing and try to come back.’”

Alongside maintaining the right mindset, the team has been practicing through regular drills and match play. Practices, held multiple times a week at the Tennis Club of Palm Beach, focus on refining groundstrokes, improving footwork, and strengthening consistency in rallies. With several matches already behind them, the team members are working toward securing key wins to improve their district seeding.

“Tennis is all about confidence and momentum,” Coach Ratchford said. “I always tell my players that every point is a new opportunity.”