LANCASTER, Pa. — For the McCaskey High School Girls Tennis team, success is measured by more than what happens on the court.
"It's not about the win-loss record," said JP McCaskey Tennis Head Coach Delaine Mast. "It's about the people that we produce, that come out of the program."
It's a sentiment Mast has had since she took over as head coach in 1986. Every McCaskey student is welcome to join the team, no matter where they're from or how much tennis experience they have.
It's a mindset that reflects the McCaskey High School's diversity of 50 nationalities and 38 languages among its 3,000 students.
"You can see the new [players] coming in who get the bug and you can see the older ones [giving back]," said Mast. "I still get two of the kids who played for me 15 to 20 years ago come out here once a week and hit after work. It's a blast. I love watching it, and they can still play."
However, it's a mission that would not be possible to achieve without the help of the players she coaches.
One of those players is senior and team co-captain Lauren Snell. From helping organize summer practices to team bonding events, it's an inclusive team environment led by Mast she has fully embraced.
"I just really love how the team does represent the diversity of McCaskey. We do have Spanish speakers. [It's] just getting to know everyone and growing as a team and as a community," said Snell. "McCaskey tennis is community, and just learning about skills that will help you through life on and off the court."
Like senior Neveah Sim-Son who went from having never played tennis to becoming the team’s co-captain in her third year of the sport.
"Honestly, it was just a beautiful community who invited us even though we had no experience and we weren't good at all," said Sim-Son. "I love it so much because there's so many opportunities made on this court and so many memories."
Or Rosh Ares, who moved from the Dominican Republic last year, joined the tennis team in her sophomore year and has never looked back.
"They don't pressure you to do it like them because they know you're new, and they make you feel part of the team," said Ares. "I think that's why I wanted to keep doing it. At first, I was kind of intimidated [because] everybody was American, but then I felt comfy and welcome and that helped me to bring my friends that are [trying the sport now too]."
It’s an effort the McCaskey tennis program, led by Mast and supported by her players like Lauren, was recently recognized for with an $82,000 grant from the U.S. Tennis Association for brand new courts.
"We work really hard at getting the kids opportunities to play year-round, and we work with a lot of other organizations to make that happen," said Mast. "It takes the players to continue to build your program because they're the ones that go out and get their friends to play."
But as nice as the new courts are, it’s a constant reminder for everyone in the program that the impact they can make outside of the freshly painted white lines is immeasurable.
"It's not about the recognition, it’s about the results," said Mast. "It's about changing lives. It's about combining tennis and education and making sure that these kids are safe and healthy and happy. It's about the kids."
