Sean Williams is a senior on the Woodford County High School Tennis Team, also known as The Racket Jackets. He has been a member of the team since he was in 8th grade, but has been playing tennis for six years in total. Even though he won’t be playing tennis in college, Williams plans to continue for fun and as a hobby after high school.
This year, the tennis team has been run by a new coach, Brett Least, who implemented practices and workouts twice per week during the fall to start conditioning before the season’s start in February. Practices have picked up since the start of the season and will continue until May or June, depending on placement in the regional and/or state tournaments.
During the off season, practices consist of cardio and lifting at both Workout Anytime and the tennis coach’s gym; however, once the high school season starts, Williams and his team practice every weekday that they don’t have a match. The team typically has two or three matches every week, allowing for the same number of practices depending on the schedule. A typical day of practice for Williams starts by warming up and doing drills to help him improve specific skills. Then, during the second half of practice, he matches up with other teammates and they play against each other. Most of the time, Williams and his doubles partner, Blake Bishop (12), play with each other against the other WCHS doubles team.
Williams and Bishop are a powerful pair on the court: they have worked hard over the past five years to get where they are now, and have been named #1 doubles for the second year in a row (meaning that Williams and Bishop are the designated pair that play against the opposing team’s best doubles pair at matches). It’s vital that they try to win every game as their wins contribute to their seeding in the regional tournament in May. Williams explained, “Every player that makes the semifinals in the regional tournament qualifies for the state tournament, meaning that the seeding is very important.” He and Bishop have been the #8 seed the past two years, which has matched them up with the #1 seed at both regional tournaments. With “valiant efforts,” as Williams states, they have sadly fallen short in the past. But they plan to try their best, win every game that they can this season, and prepare for the regional tournament.
Williams’s proudest moment playing tennis was when he and Bishop competed at the Woodford County Invitational and qualified for the championship as freshmen. They were the #2 doubles at the time and beat two #1 teams to make it to the finals.
Individually, Williams is ranked in the #3 spot on the WCHS Tennis Team. He and his team compete against one another in WCHS Tennis competitions called “challenge matches” so they can determine who is higher on the ladder and where each member will play regular matches. After challenge matches this season, Williams was designated his #3 ranking.
Throughout matches, tournaments, and even practices, Williams is supported by his teammates and family. He expressed, “My grandparents live locally, so to have them at every match inspires me to be better,” and “having teammates that want you to succeed and cheer for you allows me to play better.” Williams’s favorite part of tennis has been the support, encouragement, and community—the people—it has brought into his life. “I’m so thankful for my coaches that have not only trained me to be a better tennis player, but also a better person, [and] for my teammates who have supported me, but also made tennis fun” said Williams.
During his high school career, Williams has seen many successes, significant growth, and heightened skill. The WCHS Tennis Team has not only given him great opportunities and experiences to excel in these areas, but has also given him a wonderful tennis family. Williams believes that their team is successful because they have improved as individuals and as a group, through their sense of community with one another. This season specifically, the WCHS Tennis Team has worked hard and beat great teams, and they expect an amazing regional tournament this year. Woodford County sure does “LOVE” The Racket Jackets and wishes them the best of luck as they finish their season.
