As senior year approaches, Mount Vernon High School junior Journey McCartt is already preparing for what will be her final high school tennis season. Filled with emotions, dedication, teamwork, and mental strength. She is doing all it takes to get ready and improve her skills for the upcoming season in August.

McCartt, who comes from a large family with six sisters and two brothers, somehow finds a way to balance school, tennis, and spending time with friends. Outside of school and sports, she takes pride in coloring, hanging out with friends Abigail Phillippe, Star Wegner, and Kaylee Sagner, and has an interest in becoming a nail technician in the future.

Training for senior year tennis is intense. Last year’s season went well for McCartt, excelling at receiving. McCartt said, “I’m planning to spend more time with my teammates on the court and really dive deep into my focus of getting better.” McCartt doesn’t currently have a trainer, but as the season gets closer, the effort to find one starts to tense up for McCartt, like most athletes today. “ You can never find your true struggles in yourself when standing alone.” That’s why she strives to find someone who is willing to help keep her in line and push her towards achievement. For McCartt, that’s her teammates and her coach every day. 

During the offseason, McCartt spends two to three hours on the courts at high school every couple of days. This time is used to focus on improving skills and building endurance while also working on serving corners and working on defense skills. Spending that extra practice time playing with teammates Leah Morse, Emily Schnoor, and Ellie Kinnion, which helps strengthen both skills and team chemistry.

Training for McCartt begins in February and March, giving her plenty of time to prepare before the season starts in August. McCartt believes starting early helps her stay motivated and ready once competition begins.

According to McCartt, tennis is largely a mental sport. Her advice for players hoping to improve is to stay confident and focused. “Tennis is more of a mental sport, so it’s important not to get in your head or let other people bother you,” she said. “Being in the right mindset is key. Practice will make you better, but rest is important too because your body needs it.”

Looking ahead to the upcoming season, McCartt is passionate about improving her serving, specifically mastering hitting different spots on the court. Believing this will help her earn more free points during matches and give her an advantage against opponents.

As she prepares for her senior season, McCartt’s dedication, positive mindset, and commitment to improvement reflect what it takes to succeed both on and off the court. With months of preparation ahead, McCartt is focused on making the most of her final year of high school tennis both on and off the court.