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Mar312009
POSTED AT 12:27 PM
As the season came to an end last night, it was hard to say goodbye to the team. First, I can not thank the 8th graders enough for their 2 year commitment to the program. You have an overall record of 9-2, with a district title, a zone championship, and wins over every team in the zone. You were leaders both on and off the court, setting examples in the classroom, with your character, and with your tennis skills. It will be hard to replace you, but we wish you the best in high school and beyond. Please feel free to come back and visit us in practice in the years ahead. To the 7th graders, you have come a long way. You started as a competitive group of individuals, but you came together as a team. You have a great deal of talent as a group, and it will be exciting to see how much you improve over the summer. I have no doubts that you will be ready to lead our team next year. You have built the foundation for another successful season in 2010.
I want to say a very special thank you to all of our parents. This program would not be possible without all of you. I sincerely appreciate the support during the matches, help with pictures and the concession stand, providing timely transportation, and all of the communication when conflicts arise. You are always the model group at matches, even when things are not going our way. I could not ask for a better group of parents to work with, and it makes all of the difference in the success of the program.
Yesterday was a great day on the courts. Many of you were able to play singles for the first time this season, and you showed everyone what you could do. We were the quicker team, which was our number one goal in practice last week. A season-high 20 players won matches yesterday, which shows how deep of a team you have become. I saw many examples of outstanding sportsmanship, which made me very proud. In addition, you kept the courts and stands free of litter for the most part. GHS appreciates it when we keep their property clean.
Don't forget about the team party on Wednesday, April 8 in the Lecture Hall. All players and parents are welcome to attend. We will be there from 3:30 to 5:00, just like practice. I am sure you will have a great time as you have one last opportunity to be together as a team.
Finally, I hope that all of you continue to play tennis. I will have information about the summer clinics at GHS when it becomes available. Also, the NETT program begins this Friday. Please contact me if you still need to sign up. Have a great off-season everyone. I am already looking forward to next year. -Coach Boykin
Mar302009
POSTED AT 09:17 PM
Congratulations on your 12-7 victory over HMS today! It was a well-played match by both sides. I am very proud of your season. I will post more year-end comments in the morning. Thank you to all of the parents who supported us today and all season long. Thank you also to Mr. Boyd and Mrs. Brolan for coming out to watch the match. I am very sorry that some of you didn't get to play this afternoon. Heritage had a very small team, and they played everyone they could. I believe that every 8th grader that stayed was able to play. I am glad your team sent you out on a high note. This program is very grateful for all of the hard work you have put in the last 2 years. We will miss you very much. Please feel free to post any season-ending comments on the blog. -Coach Boykin
Mar272009
POSTED AT 02:19 PM
Our last match is Monday, March 30 against Heritage. We will start the match as close to 4:00 as possible, so please be at the courts no later than 3:45 to warm up. Bring your own water, and wear your uniform. The concession stand will be open for business as usual. We worked hard on regaining our quickness in practice this week. We lost a step over Spring Break, but your positive attitude in practice allowed you to get it back. I am sure that we will be at our best on Monday, and end the season on a positive note.
I am going to miss this group very much. We are just now starting to hit our stride as a team. We have come a long way together. We have learned about teamwork, sportsmanship, responsibility, and tennis. I hope that you use the lessons you learned as a member of the team for all that you undertake as a citizen, student, and tennis player. I will always remember this team for improving in so many areas, and for your competitive spirit.
To celebrate the great season, we will have our year-end party on Wednesday, April 8 after school in the Lecture Hall. All players and parents are invited to attend. We will send home more information on Monday after the match. I hope that everyone has a great weekend. I am looking forward to watching you one more time on Monday. -Coach Boykin
Mar232009
POSTED AT 08:51 PM
Although we lost a well-played match today, I thought we gave it our best. Even if the scoreboard doesn't show it, we put together our best all-around effort of the season. You have been practicing hard for this day, running extra laps and doing extra drills, and I am very proud of what I saw on the courts. Our hat is off to Colleyville. They are a great team and they played with class like you. I appreciate their coach for staying late and making sure that all of our players were able to get on the court for a match today.
So what does a champion do when they are knocked down a few times? They get back up and go at it again and again. I told you before the match that you were champions regardless of what happened today because of how you do things. You can prove that again by having the best practices of the season this week. We only have one match left, so let's continue to improve. We still have a chance to have a winning record against the toughest schedule in the zone, which would be a wonderful accomplishment. A big thank you to all of the parents who came out to support the team today. I hope you have enjoyed watching the team grow as much as I have. I am so proud of this team, and I will be sad to see our season end next week. Let's end the year on a positive note and save our best for last! -Coach Boykin
Mar212009
POSTED AT 12:53 PM
Can you believe we only have one more week of tennis season? The best has been saved for last, as we have 2 district matches in 8 days. We had a nice turnout for our Spring Break practice on Friday. Thank you to the 12 players who took the time to get some extra practice in. A special thank you to Coach Tyler for all of his help. I hear that many of you who could not attend have been playing some over the break, so I think we will be in good shape for the match on Monday against Colleyville. Please be at the GHS courts no later than 4:00 to warm up. The match
is scheduled to begin at 4:30. Wear your uniform, and bring your own
water. CMS has about 30 players, so many of you will be able to play a match. If you do not get to play, I will do my best to get you in against HMS next week. Parents - if you are free on Monday afternoon, please come join us. You will not be disappointed with the quality of tennis on display by both teams.
We are also in the planning stages of our year-end party. As soon as we have a date, we will send an e-mail with information on ways for volunteers to help. I hope that everyone had a great Spring Break. I am looking forward to seeing you back in action this week! -Coach Boykin
Mar132009
POSTED AT 02:18 PM
Due to the inclimate weather, practice has been cancelled for Friday.
Remember, our next match is Monday, March 23 against Colleyville. Please be at the GHS courts no later than 4:00 to warm up. The match is scheduled to begin at 4:30. Wear your uniform, and bring your own water.
Also, there is an optional practice at the GHS courts on Friday, March 20 from 12:00-2:00. Feel free to attend any part of the 2-hour window.
I hope everyone has a great Spring Break! -Coach Boykin
Mar102009
POSTED AT 06:44 PM
We had a very productive practice on Tuesday. Everyone came out ready to work hard to begin a new winning streak. The boys worked on their footwork and court positioning, while the girls worked on doubles. I am very proud of our 8th graders. They are leading by example, and making a lasting impression on the 7th graders with their attitude and work ethic.
Here are a few announcements. First, there will be an optional practice during Spring Break on Friday, March 20 from 12:00-2:00 at the GHS courts. Come for any part of the 2 hour window to drill, play a match, or just to hit around. Our next match is the Monday we return from Spring Break. We are playing Colleyville at the GHS courts at 4:30. Be ready to see the most exciting tennis of the season.
I am very pleased with the direction of our program this year. I can't believe the season is already winding down. Let's make the most of the time we have left together. -Coach Boykin
Mar092009
POSTED AT 09:48 PM
While we played a lot of great tennis today, Dawson was a little better. Sometimes you have to take your hat off to the other team, as they deserved to win. There were many positives to point to today. First, this was our best day for the lower seeds. Only 2 people didn't get to play that stayed the entire time, and that was because of a mistake. I saw some remarkable improvement in many of your matches, especially in doubles play. Our volleys are what excited me the most. Your hard work in practice in that area is really showing. Next, I always say in tennis you get better by playing good competition. In the matches that didn't go our way, there were still many excellent points. Let there be no doubt that we took a step forward as a team today. It will show in the last two matches.
Seventh graders - you need to understand how much Dawson improved from last year. Their seventh graders worked really hard, and now they are playing solid tennis as 8th graders. You can do the same thing next year. If you continue to play and continue to work hard in practice, there is no question you can make the same strides.
Our 2 primary goals of everyone playing and everyone improving have been met this season. Our third goal of winning the district is still within reach. We will need to be at our best to play a great Colleyville team, and then we finish with Heritage. Let's have a great week of practice, weather permitting, and start a new streak after the break.
Finally, a BIG thank you to all of the parents that came to watch matches. I know watching tennis can be tough because there is not a specific starting time for everyone on the team, but I appreciate your patience, and the support you show the kids. CTMS has the best tennis parents in the area!! -Coach Boykin
Mar072009
POSTED AT 11:07 PM
Can you believe we only have two weeks left together as a team for this year? It has definitely gone by fast so far. The most exciting part of our season remains, as we have a tough opponent in Dawson followed by two district match-ups. There are many things besides tennis going on at CTMS this week. If you are going to be involved in other activities, please let me know in advance as always. There is a good chance of rain this week, but we will hope for the best.
On Monday, we will play a match against Dawson. It should be a very close match, so we need to be mentally ready to play. Please be at the courts no later than 4:00 to warm up. The match will begin at 4:30. They have close to 30 players, so many of you will get to play. If you don't get in a match, I will do my best to make sure you compete against CMS or HMS. Be sure to wear your uniform, and bring your own water. The concession stand should be open.
We are peaking as a team at the right time. You have been improving throughout the season, and your hard work is paying off. Parents - I hope many of you can come watch us Monday because you will see some great tennis from both teams. I hope everyone has a great week! -Coach Boykin
Mar042009
POSTED AT 09:16 PM
Today was a great day all around for our tennis team. Everyone that stayed was able to play, which was over 50 of you. It looked like everyone had a good time playing your match. GMS was very accommodating, as they stayed late and played many extra matches. It was very exciting to watch many of you try some new things. I saw you work on drop shots, slices, volleys, and top spin. There were many close matches, as well as several tiebreakers. Again, this team was at its best when the matches were tight. You have confidence when you need it the most, and it shows. Our beginners are getting better at keeping score and the other rules of the game. I saw a lot of sportsmanship as well. It was nice visiting with all of the parents, many of you for the first time. I am very proud of our progress as a team, and I can't wait to watch the last three matches.
The stretch run is upon us. The Master's golf tournament has a tough hole near the end called Amen Corner. Well, our Amen Corner starts Monday with a tough match against Dawson, and then it's on to Colleyville and Heritage. With a good practice on Thursday, we will be ready for the challenges that lie ahead.
I will check grades for eligibility on Thursday. I am sure I will be proud of what I see. Keep up the outstanding work in the classroom. I have received the last internet form, so expect pictures on Thursday! -Coach Boykin
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