Varsity tennis will compete in Teague on February 7 and in Iredell on February 28. The junior varsity team will compete in Madisonville on February 12 and in Groesbeck on February 21.

“My belief in coaching is to help players grow as both people and players,” coach Cullen Holmes said. “To me, life is all about growing and learning overcome obstacles, and that only happens if someone in your life pushes you to be better, and I hope to do that.”

The varsity team competed in one other match on January 24 in Grosbeck. Since this game was just a duel match, the scores did not matter, but the game highlighted parts that need work.

“It feels great coaching at Fairfield,” Holmes said. “The kids are great and committed to what we have planned. ”

This is the first year Holmes is coaching tennis here. However, Holmes was an assistant cross country and track coach at Hemphill High School.

“I didn’t feel like I was truly coaching in Hemphill,” Holmes said. “Since I was an assistant cross country and track coach, most of the practice and schedule were already planned without me, so I wasn’t involved as much.”

Practices occur on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays from after school to 5:30, with optional practices on Fridays. Tournaments usually happen on Thursdays.

“I joined tennis my freshman year, and I’m so glad I joined,” junior Merrianne Markham said. “If I didn’t join tennis, I would have never known how much I’d love it.”

The team began practice in September to prepare for the season. Some members practice outside of the scheduled practices to sharpen their skills.

“To me, tennis is fun and intense,” junior Brenda O’Campo said. “The best part of tennis is the team because we help each other out.”

Tournaments are an all day event, and consists of singles and doubles matches. Doubles are 2 v. 2 matches and singles are 1 v. 1.

“I play both,” O’Campo said. “I like doubles because my partner and I have to think as one, which I think it’s pretty cool plus I get to know the person better.”