The CHIEF September 2026

Tennis Update and Interview

By Taylor Henson

Tennis is a sport most don’t start playing until their high school years. Today, I talked with Bailee Burger, a junior and a third-year tennis player, asking her questions like: When did you start playing? How do you balance your average week with tennis, school, and maybe a job? What’s the environment like at practices and matches? How does tennis compare to other sports you have previously played? What advice would you give to those who want to join in the upcoming years? Bailee explained to me that she started showing interest in tennis during her 8th grade year. Her sister had been playing the game for about two years, which inspired Bailee to try the sport out! For her average week, she said, “My typical week does look busy, but I always make sure to do all my schoolwork at school, and if I don’t, then after tennis practice I make time in my night to complete it. I also utilize the weekends for extra practice and schoolwork.” When discussing the environment tennis brings, she said, “...it’s a good mix of serious, fun, and exciting.” I started playing tennis this fall, and I can confirm she is correct! Mr. Vogt, the tennis coach for high school boys and girls, does a good job of joking around while also giving strong, constructive criticism. Bailee says she actually wants to succeed and set high goals for herself that go both for the current season and the ones to come. Some advice she has for those who want to give the sport a try is as follows: “Don’t compare yourself to current players, come to practices, and give it your all.” So, with what was said, come out to tennis matches to watch, learn, and get to know the girls who could be teammates someday!