The Blue Valley Northwest girls tennis team started off the new season with brand new tennis courts. The proposal to get new tennis courts was passed at the April board meeting and a budget was set for the project according to BVNW Athletic director Michael Richards. Construction began May 18 and ended on the first day of school, Aug. 13. The BVNW tennis teams did not have summer practices so the courts were clear for construction and to get them ready for the upcoming girl’s tennis season.
Richards said it was important to get these new courts, because for years they had been playing on courts that were cracked and dangerous. They couldn’t even play matches on some of the courts because of the damage. The courts would create flooding because they were leaning inwards a little. Cracks weren’t the only hazardous problem coming with the old courts. “When it rained, it filled up with water, washing mulch and mud onto the courts,” Jared Fluis, coach of BVNW girl’s tennis team, said. The courts were not able to be used when they were wet and the courts attracting water drainage did not help that situation. The courts would also get mud rained onto them, making it dirty and a little slippery. Therefore, anytime there was weather, it made it hard to practice afterwards with everything outside the fences spilling into the courts.
“It just, seemed older, and there was kind of some holes in some places,” senior and member of the girl’s tennis team, Maryam Wambi said.
With the new courts, there is now a more leveled playing field for matches because according to Morgan Franey, a player on the team, “[The old courts] also would make the ball, if it lands on a crack, then it bounces differently. So then sometimes people would just lose points, not because of messing up but if it hits a crack, then it like acts weirder.” There are also no bumps and breaks in the flooring anymore making it an easier surface to play on without having to worry about tripping or falling.
“The court is slower, and the purple with the gray looks great,” Fluis said. This can be beneficial for some players depending on if they prefer fast or slow games. For players focusing more on technique, these courts are perfect because they slow the ball down giving the player time to check form and get ready to receive the ball. Before the courts were yellow and green, showing no connection to BVNW whatsoever but now they are the school’s colors. It’s better for home matches to show more school spirit.
While making the new courts, they also cut down the fences and put in new bleachers. “The fence has been cut down on the west side of court 1 and courts 2-6, so spectators have a clear view to watch without looking through the fence,” Fluis said. On the old courts, the fences were tall and hard to see through so it would be better for people like parents and friends to view the matches. There are also way more places to sit with the new bleachers in hopes of more students coming to watch the matches.
“We’re trying to raise money to try and get some more shade because it’s pretty hot out there,” Franey said.
According to Franey, the new courts will last for many years to come for the teams and freeplay.
