Growing tennis in central Nebraska

Middle school students in central Nebraska are now able to play tennis as an extracurricular activity thanks in part to a USTA grant. Students in Grand Island, Kearney, Hastings and Lexington School Districts are able to participate. 

“The goal is to get as many kids out as possible to get introduced to the sport before high school tennis,” said Mark Gueswell, one of the organizers and Hastings coach.. “We teach the rules of the game, simple tennis technique and strategy, and get them to be in a competitive environment that is also fun.”

Gueswell said matches are held after the boys’ tennis season ends in the fall and goes through the winter. The idea came about after some high school coaches talked about how to get more kids interested in tennis at a younger age.