Norah Moutzorous serves the ball down and over the net, in.
The opposing team strikes it back with ease, making it hard to receive.
Norah, a freshman on the junior varsity girl’s tennis playing doubles with senior Yoselyn, sprints to the corner, hitting it back and over the net.
The crowd oohs and ahhs.
Someone says, “good save.”
The opposing girl volleys it hard and straight forward, but Yoselyn is already there defending the spot, letting the ball smack down on the court over the net. The player on the other side runs after it before it touches the ground a second time, swings, and misses. The ball bounces a second time, and Riverside won the point.
The audience claps.
“I enjoy tennis because I get to play with my friends and meet new people, and on match days I get to play but also I get to watch and cheer on my freinds,” said Norah. “I do recommend tennis because it is a fun way for people all ages to get exercise, [although,] it can be difficult because of how strategic you have to be, but with practice it is easy to see improvements.”
Coach Tyler Parsons, also the racket sports PE teacher, is the girl’s tennis varsity coach. David Moore, in the 800 hall teaching social studies, is the JV coach, and Coach Karl and his son, Conner, coach C-team. Practice goes from 3-5 p.m. Matches are during the week, sometimes a home game on the tennis courts, and sometimes away to a different high school.
Track and field is a popular sport that many students enjoy. Practice goes after school from 3:30-5 p.m. There are no cuts, so everyone is welcome to join.
“I would recommend it to other students because it’s very fun and rewarding once you improve,” said Vincent Trinh, a freshman on varsity track. “Meets are also fun going against other people but can be very long at times.”
Girls water polo is another option. With coach Kyle Ridge teaching varsity, Sonya Bondarets, senior on varsity girls water polo, states, “I love my sport. I love the supportive environment and just the sisterhood of the whole team.”
Sonya is the goalie for varsity and has played since she was a freshman.
“I think the games are different and difficult for new players but once you play your first game it’s easy to get the hang of it.”
