Entering his final high school season, senior Zack Westcott continues to shine on the tennis court. Whether it be in practice or in matches, his leadership and positive attitude doesn’t go unnoticed.
From playing in grade school to hitting countless balls on the varsity team, Westcott has put in plenty of hours to perfect his game.
“I’ve been playing ever since I was in third grade when I started going to the tennis camps at Sparta. I started because it was one of the sport camps that they offered after I quit football,” Westcott said. “I had some friends that played there so I wanted to spend more time with them.”
The season began just before school started, and although the team has had difficulties racking up wins, they are just getting started.
“As a team it has been a struggle but we’ve enjoyed a few good wins at different flights such as 1st doubles,” Westcott said.
Being a leader on the court is something that senior teammate Gavin Denyes has noticed from Westcott.
“Everyone looks up to him. He has been the one [we look up to] for three years and that hasn’t been easy for him,” Denyes said. “The fact that he keeps coming back everyday really inspires the rest of the team.”
For Westcott’s personal game, the emphasis has been on improving each and every day.
“My focus [for] senior year has been staying mentally strong,” Wescott said. “My sophomore and junior year I was generally a hot head on the courts and it led me to lose my cool.”
Varsity tennis coach Seth Howe knows how important Westcott is to the team.
“Zack is a positive presence during practice,” Howe said. “He challenges his teammates to improve throughout the season by working hard throughout the season.”
Westcott has many positive parts of his game, but it’s his serve that wins him those close matches.
“Zack’s serve is a weapon,” Howe said. “He also hits a heavy ball with lots of topspin which can be a challenge for opponents.”
When asked about the beauty of the sport, Westcott goes into detail with aspects of the game and the frustrations it may bring out in the players.
“Having to be so precise while also combining that with constant movement makes [tennis] a very difficult sport to be good at,” Westcott said. “It’s really satisfying when you play well.”
Once Westcott’s senior season comes to an end, it will bring a new beginning for him, as he plans to continue playing the sport he loves.
“I see myself playing after high school, whether [it’s] on a club or an intramural level team in college,” Westcott said. “As long as you have an opponent, racquet and some balls, you can play even when you’re old.”
