SPORTIME Kings Park Team Prepares for Regional Championship
Team chemistry is something that can’t be quantified but is integral to success, no matter the sport.
And it was crucial for the 40 & Over 3.0 team out of SPORTIME Kings Park that is captained by Amy Gillen. Earlier this month, Gillen and her team advanced to the Regional Championship after her team won a playoff to advance.
“The playoff was a very competitive match, and we needed to stay mentally strong even in the intensive heat,” said Gillen. “Rachel Demarco, my partner, and I lost the first set in our match, and knew we had to make a strong comeback. So we kept communication open throughout the rest of the match, and kept lifting each other up and that helped seal the win of the very close game.”
That support system the team has shown derives from how closely-knit the players are, which is a major reason for its success.
“What makes the team so special is we have heart and good chemistry, and a lot and respect for each other,” Gillen explained. “We want to play as much as we can together and continue getting better and improving our skills. We train all year together, and our club, SPORTIME Kings Park is very supportive. We are all friends on and off the court; we like to call it a tennis family.”
Each member of the team pulls their own weight and have a strong commitment, making it a team rather than just a collection of individuals. Gillen says the team is always there supporting each other, even at matches that are more than an hour away from their home club.
The team will now prepare for next weekend’s Regional Championships, which are set for Saturday, August 3 at Carefree Racquet Club.
“We play together frequently, and continue to challenge each other which helps us be successful in matches,” Gillen added. “We are all very excited to move onto Regionals, and we will keep training together with that goal in mind.”
