“It’s an opportunity to give back to our community and share the sport that we are so passionate about,” Coach Notis said. “It also gives our students a chance to serve as positive role models.”

Jonah Kral, Brooke Hughes and Jesse Wikso spent the afternoon on MLK Day helping introduce kids to the game of tennis. The group taught very basic tennis skills through hand-fed drills and games in a supportive and fun environment.

“It was really fun to help at set2serve,” Brooke Hughes said. “It’s also different than just coaching because you’re introducing kids to tennis who otherwise may have never had the chance.”

Every year on MLK day, ATA sends a group of players and coaches to help out at the event. It has become a staple of the annual holiday for the ATA community, as well as other tennis programs in thr Austin area like the St. Edward’s tennis teams who participate as well.

“The MLK kids day was a good experience because it was exciting to see the children’s faces light up when you feed them a tennis ball,” Jonah said. “The feeling of excitement from the children is truly genuine. I hope that the children will take from the experience a greater feeling that people care about them. I loved helping the kids because they truly enjoyed it.”