CFNN Reporter: Nicolle Owens

The Cape Fear High School ladies tennis team is still undefeated after winning their match against Gray’s Creek on Sept. 9, 9–0. The team has been doing an excellent job on the court, while a special bond has stood out for the team this season, the bond of sisterhood. 

Scarlett Tetlow and Makayla Tetlow work hard on the court while continuing to support and encourage each other every step of the way. The two sisters shared their thoughts on the latest match.

Makayla Tetlow, a 2 year sophomore, talked about what goes through her mind during tiebreak points and how she reminds herself that everything will be okay, even if she doesn’t win the tiebreak.

“During a tiebreak, I try not to let it get into my head too much. I try to remind myself that it’s all going to be okay, even if I don’t get the tiebreak points. It’s not going to ruin my season. There’s always another chance, especially since it’s my second year playing, and I have more years ahead of me playing tennis. One tiebreak point isn’t going to affect me. My goal is that I just do my best. If I get it, I get it; if I don’t, I don’t,” said Makayla. 

There are some situations when players have to adjust their game plan throughout a match, depending on whether their opponent changes tactics. Scarlett Tetlow, a 1st year senior, spoke about how she likes to make those adjustments.

“I change what I’m doing, or at least I try to, when my opponent changes tactics. If they are in doubles, they have more net play, and I just try to match that. I try to get them on a net point, or if their serves are more consistent to one spot, I try to move myself so I can get it,” said Scarlett. 

Everyone has their own way of calming themselves down, and not everyone does the same thing. Makayla spoke about how she is able to stay calm under high pressure throughout her matches.

“I would have to say what keeps me calm and collected during matches, as well as before them, is the team itself and all the support we give each other. As well as knowing that even if I don’t win, it’s all going to be okay,” said Makayla.

Every girl has to prepare before each match, whether that means warming up, stretching, practicing serves, or getting mentally focused before stepping onto the court. Scarlett spoke about her match-day routine and what she and the team do to prepare before each match.

“Our match-day routine before we step onto the court usually consists of us all getting out of class early and going out to the courts. We have a team talk as well as a team prayer before we warm up. After we warm up, we hang out for a little bit before we start to hype each other up and share any words of wisdom that we have for one another. We make sure we’re all ready before our match and feel good about it as a team,” said Scarlett.

Makayla spoke about her biggest takeaway from the past match.

“My biggest takeaway from this match is just how well we work as a team and how good our girls are at staying in a good headspace when we’re playing,” she said.

Everyone has their own skills they like to practice and work on during the team’s offseason. Since it was her first year joining the team, Scarlett spoke about what she had to focus on improving during her time off.

“This year was my first year playing tennis, so during the offseason, I had to work a lot on learning how to do all of the basics and just learning the game itself. I had to learn how to hit a backhand, as well as how the scoring and the points work. The offseason for me this year was really important for just learning how the team works together and how to actually play the sport itself,” she said. 

As you can see, these two sisters are very hard-working players who continue to push each other to be their best. Their bond on and off the court shows that being teammates is only part of what makes their connection so special. As the season continues, the sisters will keep working together, supporting their team, and showing what sisterhood looks like on the tennis court.

The team will have their next match away against Terry Sanford this afternoon, where they attempt to continue their undefeated season. Cape Fear Colts, make sure to go out and support our Lady Colts as they take the court and continue this amazing season