Dimantha Andrahennady ’14
Despite its long history, paddle tennis is a relatively unknown winter fitness option at Episcopal. The sport was started by Frank Peer Beal and was created in Manhattan so local kids would have something to do. The sport first came to Episcopal in 2006 when Elspeth Boynton ’08 and Mia Kent ’08 convinced Thomas Kent, a member of the Classics Department, and Whitaker Powell, a Lower School Teacher and tennis coach, to create a team at Episcopal, making Episcopal the first high school in the area to have a paddle tennis team. The first team had eight members, though it has expanded to an approximated roster of sixteen people. Athletes of various ability levels make up Episcopal’s team, as the team includes both beginners and those who could compete at the national level. The sport, while similar to tennis, is unique and has several significant differences from other racquet sports. The court is smaller than a tennis court, with a lower net and no alleys. The paddle tennis ball is depressurized so it is less bouncy than a tennis ball, and at Episcopal paddle tennis is played in the winter. In paddle tennis, ball placement and strategy are more important than brute power and strength. The game also requires patience and consistency, and the rules make it difficult to end a point quickly. Mohammed Toure ’12 said, “You have to really think about it instead of using strength, you can’t hit it too hard, you have to hit it smoothly. It’s a great game for teamwork because you play in pairs.” Toure is playing paddle as a way to stay fit while taking his senior cut. Toure said that the sport is a good way to relieve stress and even though he has only been playing for a few weeks, the sport is easy to get the hang of and enjoy. Kent remarked that “the culture of paddle is one of mutual respect and total honesty. It is a sport where the cut- throat mentality which is so often seen in big time sports, is delightfully absent.” This mentality makes paddle fit in at Episcopal, where stripes such as sportsmanship, honesty, and courtesy are valued. Sportsmanship is incredibly important as well, because paddle tennis emphasizes doubles play, in a way that is similar to tennis. Episcopal’s team is led by coaches Kent and Powell, and the athletes practice at Aronimink courts. The team is looking forward to potentially playing in the Inter-Ac, and also has plans to play against Conestoga and Harriton High schools later in the season. However, the sport is still expanding and other schools are looking into starting teams that Episcopal could compete against as well. The movement and expansion of the sport will bring more competition and insight to a sport that appears to be returning as an outdoor racquet sport. “My hopes for the future are that our program here at Episcopal will continue to grow and that the enthusiasm that our students have for this great sport will persuade even more schools to start their own programs,” said Kent.