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Several Chickasaw youth learned to love the game of tennis during Chickasaw Nation Beginner Tennis Clinic, conducted June 11-14 at the Ada Tennis Center.
More than 40 students spent four days learning the game and rules of tennis, or improving skills and techniques learned at last year’s camp.
“We’ve been having so much fun we wish it was an overnight camp,” said Mikaela Kent, Ada. “Then, we could get up early and start playing and practicing our positions.”
Her teammates Ke-Ke Factor and Zora Rose-Chapman, both of Ada, agreed.
“The coaches are awesome,” said Zora Rose.
Again this year, veteran tennis coaches and local student-athletes served as coaches at the clinic, including Coach Skip Greise, a 44-year tennis coaching veteran.
Coach Greise, who coaches the Ada (Okla.) High School Tennis Team, has led the Chickasaw Nation Tennis Clinic for the past eight years.
“We are teaching a life-long sport,” he said. “It’s a game the kids can play their entire life time. All it takes to play are two people, and a net.”
Sportsmanship and integrity during camp are also stressed during clinic.
When asked what she learned, first-time tennis clinic participant Ke-Ke Factor eagerly displayed her forehand, backhand and volley.
“I love it,” she said when asked if she liked tennis.
Another first time tennis camper Braden Smith, Ada, said he attended camp to “learn how to play tennis.”
Although the majority of the clinic was conducted at the Ada Tennis Center, the group had to retreat to the Chickasaw Nation Family Life Center when it rained Wednesday, June 13.
The clinic concluded with “play day” where campers hit tennis balls in an attempt to knock over items such as sports drinks, canisters of socks, tennis grips and hats. Any item knocked over by a camper was theirs to take home.
Intermediate and advanced tennis clinic was conducted June 18-21. Coverage of the camp will appear in the August issue of the Chickasaw Times.
(Story provided to us by the Chicksaw Times. For more information about Chickasaw Nation Youth programs, log on to www.chickasaw.net)
