Coach Alexandra Ware shares her goals for this year’s girls’ varsity tennis team, as well as how she plans on adjusting to the loss of six seniors, all the while, maintaining a lively team atmosphere on and off the courts.
Born and raised in Plymouth, Michigan, right outside of Ann Arbor, Alexandra Ware grew up with tennis as a major aspect of her life. Almost every step she’s taken to get to Mason has involved the sport in one way or another, and it contributes to her dedication to the girls’ varsity tennis team.
“I love tennis, and have always enjoyed playing, and it’s great for many reasons,” said Ware, “one of them being it’s a life-long sport. Some sports you can’t play past a certain age, but tennis you can always play.”
Ware’s father is a certified tennis teaching professional, as well as the co-director of tennis at the Huron Valley Tennis Club in Ann Arbor, Michigan. She played there growing up, and she worked there for a period of time as a youth, and later, adult coach.
“I got into tennis because of my dad,” Ware said. “I played competitively for a while, and at one point I was nationally ranked. It was always a choice for me and I was never forced to do it, and my family was really supportive.”
After graduating from Ashland University in Ohio, and playing tennis all four years, she moved to Denver, Colorado, and eventually found herself in the Washington D.C. area, teaching Special Education at Mason.
“I love the sport, I love the game, and I love being able to work with high school girls. My classroom is very different so I don’t necessarily get to know a lot of the students throughout the school. It just worked out when I started teaching and there was an opening for girls’ tennis coach.”
Mason’s girls’ varsity tennis team graduated six seniors last year, and made it all the way to states, before getting eliminated in the second round. Besides adjusting to a new team and eleven returners, Ware hopes to be able to use time on the courts more wisely, and involve parents as much as possible.
“I would love to move on as team, and to make it to State finals would be phenomenal,” said Ware. “We have to figure out how to make our top six singles lineup and three doubles teams to get the best team possible. Strategy will also be really important, and just knowing and understanding the entire game of tennis. Basically thinking on your feet throughout a match.”
“We’ll definitely also have to rebuild, but I’m confident in my returning players. The culture of the team will change because of the loss of the seniors, and this season will be tough. But I know we’ll have fun, and with hard-work and dedication, we’ll reach our goals.”
