Sophomore Gabby Lee said she has been playing tennis since the moment she could actually hold a racket.

Lee has been on the Blue Valley Varsity tennis team for the past two seasons and has had a successful one so far this fall, winning a majority of the matches she’s competed in.

“I won the Emporia tournament, I got second at EKL, and I won all my league games except Blue Valley North and Shawnee Mission East, which are my two biggest competitions every year,” Lee said.

Lee said high school tennis is a great break from her club season and gives her a chance to relax while still playing some competitive games.

“Club tennis is a lot more serious and stressful because there is a ton of ranking in club,” she said. “In high school, it’s more for fun and I don’t have to worry about the added pressure that comes along with club.”

Lee said even though high school is less competitive, she learns new tactics and skills that further her as an overall player during the high school season.

“I had to learn new techniques to be compatible to play girls that I am not used to playing from club,” she said. “Every girl plays different and you get to know each player from each school and how she plays.”

Lee said the relationships made with her teammates is, to her, the most memorable part of the season.

“My favorite thing about the season was hanging out with all the girls on the team,” she said. “It was a lot of fun just going to tournaments and bonding with everyone on the bus ride and in between games.”

Lee said she always looks forward to playing high school and is sad because the season is only eight weeks, an amount of time Lee says always flies by.

“Tennis during high school season always makes me grow as a person, mentally and physically,” she said. “That’s why I love the sport, and especially why I love doing it at BV.”