As I sit down in between my sets I can feel the sweat dripping down my face as my eyes are getting heavy. That’s when the tears start rolling.

The start of my senior tennis season was the first thing that I did for the last time. My whole life I have looked forward to growing up. Until now, it scares me to know that I won’t go home to my Mom and Dad every night. As I went into my senior year the goal of state tennis was always hiding in the back of my mind. I wanted nothing more than a blue and gold, first place medal hanging around my neck.

My whole season I played doubles, going into sections I was expected to play singles. The fourth singles spot was mine. The fourth singles spot is suppose to win the match for our team. I got more and more confident with every match that I played. The girl I was matched up against was a strong player. I had lost to her a short three weeks prior.

Spinning the racket to start the match I ask her, “little line up or down?”

She says, “down.”

It was up. I got the first serve.

I was confident. With my first serve I felt power. I knew I could win. The joy of being on the court was thrilling. I won the first four games and felt unstoppable. But, then she got one game. I brushed it off.

I repeated in my head, “it’s okay you got it, this is your match.”

When one game turned into five games I started to doubt myself, ‘my you got this’ turned into ‘you don’t deserve it.’ When I sat down for my set break after I lost the first set, I felt like I let my teammates down. I couldn’t help but to let the tears roll down my face. Coach Leah came out to talk to me. I felt embarrassed.

“It is just a game don’t cry,” went through my head.

But with a pat on the back Leah said, “Let it out now because you have a tennis match to win.”

Through tears I said “I will not lose.”

It clicked in my mind the words, I will not lose seemed to be on a constant replaying loop for the rest of my match. This next set I knew that I had to win if I wanted to win the match for my team. I will not lose as I returned the ball, I will not lose as I won the point. I gripped my racket. This was my match. Soon the set score was five- two; I was up. Only one more game till I won the set. During this last game I could feel every muscle in my body working toward a goal. With a blink I won the second set. One to one, a tie.

I could see Coach Bri walking towards me.

With a smile I said, “I will not lose.”

My coaches pulled, supported, and cheered me through the best and the worst times. They will always give me a shoulder to cry and then replace it with a smile on my face the next minute. I will forever remember my first day of tennis freshman year, the morning air was thick and heavy as the humidity was rising for the day. Joyful smiles were had by all around, everyone was happy to be on the courts, and ready to have fun. The best part of my tennis career are the friends and teammates I have been with for the last four years. These girls have turned into family and my coaches have became my role models.

Walking back on the court for the third set I was filled with nerves. If I could consistently return the ball back to my opponent, she would make the mistake. Again the words I will not lose shuffled through my head as I played the hardest I have ever played. Soon the score was five to zero. I walked off the court with a smile on my face. I am sitting on my bench looking at the crowd. I see Jada, my doubles partner cheering me on after she had just lost. I see Coach Chelsie shoot up a double thumbs up. Lastly I see my family who have stuck with me through the highs and lows of this match and life but continue to support me. After being reassured by the crowd I walk to the court ready to go. It was my serve. The last four years were leading up to this; one of my last tennis matches. My last powerful serve.

I never knew one point could last so long. I was not giving up. I kept repeating I will not lose. My opponent must have been thinking the same thing because we were going back and forth for thirty five minutes. During this match I felt as if I never wanted it to end. I could have stayed on the court the rest of the day. During this point I could hear many voices, but these stood out to me the most.

“Way to go Chlo,” I could hear Natalie cheer throughout the last set.

I could hear Abby’s Grandpa yell, “You’re going to give me a heart attack!”

Next I heard Jada, “Right here right now, Chloe.”

After hearing Jada say that, I knew I had to win. Then I won the next two points, which won the match. If it wasn’t for all these encouraging words, it wouldn't have given me the joy and energy to win this match. Our team continued on to the championship round.

I will never forget the way my team supported me that day. Each one of their voices stood out and made a difference throughout this match. I felt proud of the way I played and proud to be on this team. There was no greater sight than seeing my team and fans cheering me on throughout my match.