This is my third year on the Varsity Girls’ Tennis team. I am very fond of this sport as it has opened up many learning opportunities for me and has enhanced my interpersonal skills.

However, this season was quite different from the others. Initially, I had not planned to play for the team due to my academic commitments. However, when my coach reached out to me explaining that there weren’t enough players, I made the difficult decision to join the team despite having other priorities to focus on.

With less than a month to prepare, I dedicated my time to practice by attending three sessions per week. I tried to commit myself fully and believed that my efforts would contribute to the team’s performance during SEASAC.

SEASAC was an emotional rollercoaster. We lost our first match against HIS, the team we were eager to beat following the BMAC competition. Yet, I reminded myself that SEASAC wasn’t just about winning or losing—it’s about pushing myself beyond my limits and growing as a player. I also played against UWCSEA, a strong team, which I enjoyed because competing with tough opponents helped me learn and improve my skills.

One of the most memorable matches was my final match against AIS for 5th or 6th place. Admittedly, it was the worst and best match I’ve played. The match was extremely intense and stressful, and I was overwhelmed by the loud cheering from the opponent’s school. I felt even more determined to win. The match was the longest that I had ever experienced, as we had tie-breaks almost at every moment, making every point count. It was also mentally and physically draining, and I had multiple breakdowns. However—I refused to give up. I tried to stay focused on every point and played to the best of my ability.

The game didn’t end fairly, though. We had already won two sets, but the other team insisted on a different score and claimed that the match was not over. Even though we had already won, we were forced to replay crucial points, which felt completely unjustified to me.

It was an incredibly frustrating experience, but it also taught me valuable lessons. Ultimately, this experience reinforced the importance of speaking up and communicating points clearly. More than anything, I learned that maintaining sportsmanship is one of the most important qualities of being an athlete, no matter the circumstances. Despite the challenges, we remained strong as a team. We cheered for every point we won and supported each other through the highs and lows.