Club tennis is one of many club sports that allows students at Northwestern State University the opportunity to play tennis both competitively and for fun. Students who join the organization are able to practice and play against one another to become better at the sport while enjoying the game with like-minded people.

Andre Guiteau-Laurent, a senior accounting and business administration major, has been on the team since the fall of 2023 and joined because of his interest in tennis and the team at NSU. “I always thought tennis looked fun, and I saw that there was a club here. It was the perfect opportunity,” Guiteau-Laurent said

The organization is open to both students who are learning the sport and those with prior experience, creating an environment that is supportive of its members. “The people are a lot of fun and Kent, the current president, is really good at tennis, so he can teach you a lot,” Guiteau-Laurent said.

Not only does the organization help students learn more about the sport, but it also creates memories for students who have similar interests.

Olivia Horrell, a senior elementary education and management and tourism major, enjoys being around her teammates and cherishes the memories they’ve created. “Once, when we were playing, one of my teammates, James, broke his shoes because he was playing so hard,” Horrell said. “I [also] like when we play games and do our drills.”

James Odom, a sophomore secondary education major, believes that club tennis is different from other clubs because of the coach’s involvement. “Coach Kent is just so into it, and I respect him for it. He’s very passionate about it [and] makes everyone else passionate about it. I’m not sure about other sports, but he definitely makes [tennis] worth being here,” Odom said.

Club tennis continues to thrive as an organization that provides its members the opportunity to improve their tennis skills, create new friendships and play in a welcoming and supportive environment.