On the sunlit courts of Erie High School, the echoes of laughter, cheers, and the familiar sound of tennis balls on racquets mark the end of an era for three seniors. For Addie Rice, Lizzie Owens, and Bella Rosebrough, their final season isn’t just about competition—it’s a celebration of the friendships they’ve formed, the growth they’ve seen in themselves, and the memories that will last far beyond the final match.
For Rice, who plays #2 singles, her tennis journey is a clear arc of personal growth. “I started on C team, and now I’m two singles, which is a big jump,” she said. “So it’s been very rewarding to actually improve and see that growth every year.”
Playing singles tennis often puts players in an isolating position, requiring mental toughness in addition to physical skill. Addie has not only felt that pressure, but she’s learned to rise to it and use it to fuel her game.
“As a singles player, it’s definitely taught me to trust myself when I’m playing more, and to work on positive mental talk instead of getting down on myself,” she said. “When you have a partner there, they can hype you up. And when you’re by yourself, you have to be that hype up person for yourself.”
But even in a solo match, Rice says the support of her teammates has made all the difference. “Knowing that I have them supporting me on and off of the court makes me feel a lot better being on the court by myself.”
As someone with a few years under her belt, the memories she has made with the team is something she will take with her even after her last match. “I remember when I was competing to go to state against the one seed at regionals. And I had a very hard match. It was really close, and I hit the winning shot, and the whole team started cheering,” continuing, “and so I started crying. It was very emotional, because it was a moment of pride.”
Now, with graduation around the corner, Rice hopes the underclassmen will remember what really matters when it comes to a sport with mental hurdles to conquer. “I would tell my teammates to just be themselves, and to try their best. They don’t have to be perfect. It’s all about the experience rather than being the best person ever. And the memories you make is really why you’re there.”
For Owens,, this senior season has capped off a surprising and joyful detour. Tennis isn’t her main sport—she’s been playing softball for 10 years—but she picked up tennis during her sophomore year and quickly rose to the top, now playing #1 singles.
“ I genuinely don’t know a lot about it because it’s not my main sport. I just decided to do it for fun,” she explained. Little did she know this sport she picked up for fun would turn into something helpful to her competitive nature. “I have my main sport that I’m really competitive in, and I feel like tennis gives me the outlet to just have fun, but also be competitive.”
One of her most meaningful memories came not during a match, but during a bonding experience at state. “Last season I was partners with Stella Landis, and we got to share a room and stuff during state in Pueblo,” she said. “And that was definitely a key moment. I got really close to her… and we’re still friends.” That friendship is one of the many unexpected gifts Owens received through the sport of tennis.
“This season is kind of an end to something new that I tried, but I hope that I continue doing it through the end of my life.” Although Owens is moving full swing to go play college softball at Florida National University, her connection to Tennis will alway find a place in her heart.
While Rice and Owens reflect on the growth they’ve found in singles play, Rosebrough, a doubles player, has cherished the spirit of teamwork on and off the court. “I started my sophomore year and I kind of felt behind at first, because everyone started way before me,” she explained, “so now seeing how much I’ve grown, and how we have grown as a team… it’s just so amazing.”
For Bella, it’s not just about what happens between the lines. Her favorite memories are the random, joyful moments that built the team’s spirit. “Going to the matches and all of us sitting around and bonding and just talking about whatever, and cheering each other on,” she said. “It’s just so fun, and I think that’s the most time we spend together. And truly be a team.”
Differing from the singles players, playing doubles has given Bella a built-in support system during every match. “I praise the singles players because I always need someone else to push me,” she said. “My doubles partner can cheer me up and we can have our time to really just breathe and just laugh it off together.”
This season, she’s partnered with her teammate Ophelia Palacios, and their energy together has been infectious. “Whenever we get even 15 seconds just in between sets, we might do a random dance, or just say ‘Okay, we’re having fun. We’re having fun.’ which really builds each other’s confidence up.”
As the season winds down, all of the seniors reflect on what they will miss the most, and Rosebrough notes how she will miss the fun energy the team brings. “Sometimes we will play random games during practice and mess around a bit, and it’s truly so much fun. But I think most of all I am going to miss my teammates.”
The Erie High School girls tennis team is more than its wins or rankings. It’s a community and a safe space for growth. They are a family that laughs together after a tough match, dances between sets, and celebrates every personal victory, big or small.
Through the voices of Rice, Owens, and Rosebrough, one thing rings true: the bond between teammates lasts far longer than a season. These seniors are leaving more than just a spot on the roster—they’re leaving a legacy of resilience, kindness, and joy. And for the players who will pick up the rackets next season, the path has been clearly marked by the class of 25 graduates: play hard, trust yourself, lift up your teammates, and don’t forget to have fun.
