CHAPTER 3
Before practice that afternoon, Alexis and Erin warmed up together.
“You’re really good, Erin!” shouted Alexis across the net. She hit a backhand shot, reaching across her body to the left to hit the ball.
“Thanks,” said Erin. “I’m better at doubles, though. Then I get to spend a lot of time hitting volleys up at the net. Go ahead. Hit me some.”
Erin went closer to the net. She returned Alexis’s shots, smacking each one back with a crisp, sharp volley.
Alexis was impressed. “Nice,” she said.
“So, are you still worried about Morgan?” Erin asked, continuing to return Alexis’s shots.
“Kind of,” Alexis replied. “She seemed really mad earlier.”
“Forget about her,” Erin said. “She’s just a loudmouth.”
“But is it true?” Alexis asked slowly. “Did I knock Rachel off the team?”
“Well, sort of,” Erin admitted. “But it’s not your fault. Coach wants the best players to play on varsity, and you’re one of the best.”
Alexis hit a ball hard along the sideline. Erin couldn’t even touch it with her racquet.
“Nice shot,” yelled Erin.
“What about Olivia?” asked Alexis. “She seems okay.”
“She’s nice. I don’t know why she’s friends with Morgan, though,” Erin said. She shook her head.
“She didn’t seem too happy with me being on the team either,” said Alexis.
“Olivia, Morgan, and Rachel planned on being on varsity together this year. Now they aren’t,” Erin said, shrugging.
“Okay, girls. Bring it in!” yelled Coach. The players gathered around the coach. She said, “Welcome to the first practice of the Fairfield Tigers tennis team!”
The girls all clapped. Coach Taylor said, “Congratulations to all of you for making the team. I’m not going to waste any time. I’m going to give you your positions right away, and then let you challenge each other to move up to higher spots during the season.”
Alexis knew what that meant. Each girl would be ranked in order of talent. If someone wanted to get a better rank, she’d have to play for it.
After calling out the varsity doubles teams, Coach Taylor read off the varsity singles positions. “At number four will be Alexis, number three will be Stephanie, number two is Morgan, and number one is Olivia,” she finished, smiling. “Congratulations, Olivia. You’ve earned it. Now make us proud this year.”
“Thanks, Coach,” said Olivia. “I will.”
“Now, about the challenges,” said Coach. “You can make two per week. And you can only challenge the player directly above you in the ranks. You play a one-set match. If the girl with the lower position wins, she moves to the higher position. Simple. Got it?”
All of the players nodded.
“All right then, let’s practice,” Coach Taylor said. “Twenty laps around the courts!”
Alexis couldn’t stop smiling. Number four during her first year on varsity, and as a seventh grader? It was a dream come true.