MARYSVILLE — For local high school tennis players, it can be difficult to stay fresh on tennis skills during the summer months. Marysville Parks and Recreation offers the junior tennis team, which allows middle and high school aged players to play competitive tennis against other regional clubs and teams.

“This is my eighth summer coaching for the junior team, and my 20th summer as a tennis instructor for the Marysville Parks and Recreation Department,” said coach Arnie Moreno, who has been a teacher and tennis coach at the varsity level for Shorewood High School for 15 years.

“I come back every summer. I love doing it. There wasn’t much here for kids as far as tennis goes. I really wanted to grow the program down here and make it fun for kids and adults as well.”

This year’s juniors team had 12 players from Marysville, Lakewood and Lake Stevens.

“Some of these kids have been with the team now for their third or fourth year in a row and they are really coming along,” said Moreno. “Last year I would have said that they are really young and need developing, but this year they are certainly improving.”

Some of the junior tennis team players also play at the high school level.

“I’ve watched these kids really develop, and now they are starting to play at the varsity level for their high schools, so that’s really the whole purpose of this team — to provide a place where they can play competitively and work on their skills so they can go back to their school and apply them,” said Moreno.

“The coach is awesome. He is so nice and he takes care of the kids,” said Masae Ciferri, mother of MG sophomore Marina Ciferri. “She started two years ago on this team, and now she is the varsity first singles player at MG.”

Christine Mair signed her son, Chance, up for tennis and found that it kept him active and helped his other school sport — bowling.

“Chance has been playing with Coach Arnie since fifth grade,” said Mair. “It’s funny because every time he plays tennis, his bowling game improves. It really helps. And it’s nice to have this team in the summer so he’s not spending his days inside playing video games. We are a small club, but I like that they can travel and compete against other clubs in the area.”

M-P’s Connor Gross is in his first year as a member of the team, but played at the high school level last season.

“I’ve done lessons since I was little, but this is my first year competing on the team,” said Gross. “I like that it’s fun and the people and Coach Arnie are awesome. I played school tennis last year and I didn’t do very well, so I think being on this team before school starts will really help me a lot.”

Some players are just looking to keep their skills fresh for the start of the school tennis season.

“When I was in ninth grade, I had a P.E. teacher who recommended this club to me,” said Faith Mayberry, of Lake Stevens High School. “I did lessons first and I’ve been on this team for three years now. It definitely helps me stay ready for the tennis season.”

For more information on Marysville Parks and Recreation tennis lessons, call 360-363-8400.