I Shouldn't be League-le

Well, I can finally say I achieved a big personal goal. I actually made a tennis league this year. Last year, I was so envious of the women playing league matches. I wanted to do that so bad, but there certainly was no invitation extended.

So, I got serious about wanting to be on a league and increased my playing days. It worked. When leagues were forming, I carefully listened to the chatter in one of my groups, being careful not to assume I was included. Then I heard the coach say she wants them to climb the ladder this year and play at the 3.0 level. Oh, I thought, I am out for sure. I cannot play at that level.

But, when I didn't raise my hand, she leaned over and said, "Kris, don't you want to do the league?" I am not a 3.0 player I said, disappointed that my work hadn't led me to my goal. "Of course you are!" she said. And, then, I was on the team.

Now you have to understand how foreign teams are for me. Sure, I did projects in groups in school and at work, and still do most of my work on project teams. But sports teams are totally foreign to me. I was not an athlete. I rarely played sports as a child and when I did, the experience was not one I would look back on fondly. I appreciate my parents' willingness to encourage, but also to support me when I chose art and other more solitary activities over sports (especially in the highly sports-focused community I grew up in).

But, here I am on a team. A 3.0 team too! I talked the team into the importance of uniforms. They obliged but when for more a uniform "look" not uniforms purchased from the pro shop. But, I think I have them convinced of the psychological value of us coming on the court all dressed alike. So, next year, I hope to win approval for a team ensemble.

We played our fourth match this week and our team finally won. While I (and my doubles partner) have won several games, I have not won a set (we play two sets each match). I am always placed in the number three seed for doubles on the line up. My new goal? By the end of league in the summer, I want to play in the number two doubles spot--don't have to win, just play in the spot (instead of number three).

So here I am again, setting out to achieve my goal. For the next six weeks, I have the opportunity to play no less than five days a week. Why? Because the only way to get better is to practice, practice, practice. I will let you know if it pays off. For now, off to a Saturday morning tennis class.