As last year’s season ended, the players on the women’s tennis team went their separate ways. Some immediately started preparing for this year’s season, whereas others took a short break before they began training again.

However, Bailey Padgett, member of the women’s tennis team and junior, said the players never really disassociated themselves with one another during the off-season. In fact, the relationships continued to build, she said. According to Padgett, team bonding, including the offseason, is a big part of the tennis team and contributes greatly to its success. And as the team prepares for its upcoming season, she says team building will play a vital role.

“Last year, we did yoga every Monday starting in January and we did it pretty much the whole season through,” Padgett said. “This year, our team bonding is kick boxing. So, at first, we were a little curious about that. We didn’t know what that was really about, and then we did it, and it was one of the best experiences that we, all agreed, had. Other things we do, we have team sleepovers a lot. We go out to dinner a lot after matches. So, basically, (for the) tennis team, half of it’s about tennis; half is just about being a team.”

The women’s tennis team is not alone in its pursuit of a more team-oriented stance. According to Mike Bostic, head coach of the women’s tennis team, team bonding plays an integral role in the successes of all of the sports programs here.

“I think CHS athletics is so successful not only because of the depth of talent, but the type of kids we have,” Bostic said via email. “Our kids are mature and understand that they need each other to accomplish big things. Team building activities just facilitate this even more.”

With the emphasis on individuality and self-improvement in many sports, it might be difficult to see why players and coaches strive to build such teamwork. According to Ellen Schmitz, member of the women’s track team and senior, the reason coaches and athletes seek to build teamwork is that self-improvement and teamwork go hand in hand.

“Bonding is extremely important to our teams’ success. We all love to run, but we love the friendships and experiences we gain through the team. When we step up to the starting line we want to do well for ourselves, but more importantly, for our teammates,” Schmitz said. “Having a close team makes even the worst days a little better and your victories even sweeter.”

Padgett said she agrees with Schmitz, saying that having a team behind her helps her play better.

“Well, for me, I play year-round tennis, so most of the time I’m by myself individually. I found that it’s easier; I feel so much more relaxed when I have a team behind me, but of course, in order to become a team, you need to have that love and care you experience together, and the way you get that is through team bonding,” Padgett said.

There are many activities teams do to build team unity, according to Padgett and Schmitz, and not all of them are organized by the coaches. In fact, Padgett said some team bonding events are organized by the players.

“Other things we do, we have team sleepovers a lot. We go out to dinner a lot after matches,” Padgett said.

Schmitz said many of her team bonding activities are outside of school.

She said the track team has team meals, secret buddies, dessert parties, spirit days, pumpkin carving contests and secret Santa gift exchanges. During the summer, some track members even enter and volunteer at local races and go to team camp.

Regardless of what players do during team bonding events, Bostic said they are important for team bonding.

“I think team-building activities are critical to building unity,” Bostic said. “The girls get to spend time away from the sport and (having team building activities) really builds lasting friendships.”

In the end, Padgett said, no matter how it happens, team bonding should be something all teams do. According to her, team bonding can make the whole team, as well as each individual player, better. She said she thinks inclusion is a big part of being on a team.

“For me, it’s easy to bond with people. You find things you have in common, and you build upon that,” Padgett said. “But, I feel like in order to be a team, you need to have everyone whose part of that team, be included. So by team bonding, you establish those relationships with those people so you can progress as a team and have your successes together.”