“It goes without saying: playing tennis with no nets is very challenging,” Tennis Club advisor Tracy Miceli said.
Ever since the club’s formation in 2022, Del Val has had tennis courts without any nets or posts, but on Sept. 17, the long journey to furnish the courts came to an end.
In the past, the club has held all of its meetings at Courtside Racquet Club in Lebanon, NJ — a 20-minute drive from Del Val . Courtside is especially busy during the fall and spring, but they were able to give the Tennis Club a court once a month during the winter.
“Renting a court for the amount of time that they gave us is about $150 each time, and they gave us that for free,” Miceli said. “We’re very appreciative.”
While Courtside gave the Tennis Club a temporary home, the need for a permanent solution pushed the club to look for a way to play on campus. The initiative to equip Del Val’s tennis courts was spearheaded by Miceli.
“Honestly, it was a lot of me just asking for it [funding],” Miceli said. “[I was] just kind of being the squeaky wheel and showing that there was a need.”
Eventually, Miceli was able to get in contact with the Alexandria Township Public Works Committee.
“Long story short, the township came in and helped us put the posts in and did the concrete,” Miceli said. “They were immensely helpful. We really could not have done this without [them].”
Miceli is beyond thrilled to have three fully operational courts. She believes it will allow members to work on more level-specific skills, spread out across the different courts.
“It [having our own courts] does help to differentiate the needs of our club members,” Miceli said. “I’m just really excited that we finally have the nets in place and that we can actually play.”
Athletic director Lance Jacobs shares Miceli’s enthusiasm. He hopes that the refurbishment of the courts is the first step in the growth of tennis at Del Val.
“I would love to see the Tennis Club evolve into an NJSIAA inter-scholastic sport someday for girls and boys,” Jacobs said.
In the meantime, the Tennis Club is looking forward to its first meeting on Monday, Sept. 22, at 2:30 p.m. Returning Tennis Club member Ellie Fisher is counting down the days.
“I’m really looking forward to going to the upcoming meetings,” Fisher said. “Even though Courtside was a blast, I’m so excited to be able to play at our school and get outside in the fresh air.”
If you’re interested in joining the Tennis Club, reach out to Mrs. Miceli via email or visit her in the Commons. All levels are welcome.
“I had never played tennis before I joined Tennis Club,” Fisher said. “You definitely don’t need any experience or even a racquet. Just go out and play. It will be so much fun.”
