Featured image: Shelly Russell (right) and Principal Cathy Benton (left) spectate women’s Varsity Tennis against Pomona
With Mrs. Russell’s first year as tennis coach come amiable aspirations for the women’s team and their upcoming season. It’s this LA teacher’s third year at Littleton High, and she is very excited—”I’m eager to be their coach and interact with this amazing team,”
However, there seem to be a few bumps along the way, none Mrs. Russell is doubtful she and her team can’t get through.
First and foremost, the chilly weather has gotten in the way of practices and matches, creating new opportunities for Mrs. Russell to network with other schools.
“I don’t know the coach over at TJ so it makes it harder to reschedule because they’re not in my contacts,” she comments, talking about how she needed to cancel when the snow got to be too much. Next to unpredictable weather and poorly kept courts—bad drainage becoming a problem—a positive attitude and encouraging words to push the team to each upcoming game.
It’s her first year as a coach, but Russell has been around the tennis scene since elementary school. As a senior, her son played tennis so she’s had the “parent perspective” as well. Otherwise, she plays recreational tennis on her off days.
“It feels like an additional full-time job on top of teaching,” Russell admits, speaking to her advancing skills in organization, learning new systems, and tennis-related communications. Her main goal is to get everybody to practice things that make them a team and get better.
Despite the challenges, Russell encourages her team to value flexibility and organization.
“Since it’s a no-cut sport, I hope everybody feels part of the team. Regardless of competitiveness, skill level, ability, I hope they can make friends and have fun,”
Freshman Anna Jane Geddes attests to this with, “It’s my first time playing tennis and I was nervous but Mrs. Russell is super welcoming and encouraging! I feel so valued on her team and I couldn’t ask for a better coach,”