Warm rays of sunshine beat down on the court as the crowd cheers on their home team and number two senior player, Eric Neufeld, leads the team to victory. Sprinting back and forth, he anticipates his opponent?s next swing over the net.

?I have been playing tennis for seven years,? Eric Neufeld, ?05, said. ?I love the sport, but I don?t plan on playing in college.?

Tennis is not just a team sport. It recognizes each individual?s accomplishments and contributions to the team.

?What I enjoy most about tennis is the people I meet,? Neufeld said. ?I like tennis being an individual sport instead of just a team thing. It?s nice not to have to depend on others for success.?

Playing varsity tennis all four years, Neufeld is rated as the number two player on the team.

?I just play casually and do my best,? Neufeld said. ?It?s nice to see your name in the paper, even if they spell it wrong.?

Even though players do not always depend on each other for success, many long lasting memories are made throughout the season.

?My favorite memory was playing tennis with alumni Eric Witters and Mike Van Beek last year,? Neufeld said. ?When Witters and Van Beek were playing doubles, I screamed as Van Beek served the ball and he collapsed in laughter.?

With memories made, along with new friends, Neufeld will set down his racket at the end of the year as he enjoys his last tennis season.

?It has been a good four years,? Neufeld said. ?I?ll miss the friends I?ve made, but I am happy with the accomplishments I have done.?

The team tennis team holds a 5-0 record for the season so far as they dominate in the West Sierra League.

?The team is doing fantastic this year,? Neufeld said. ?I think the team will do just as well next year, since we only have one player graduating. We will dominate for years to come.?

For more information or updates on the boys tennis team contact the high school office at 297-9464 ext. 5 or visit the sports briefs at www.thefeather.com.