The definition of sportsmanship according to Webster, is "one who abides by a code of fair play."

There were seven particular girls on a USTA Junior Tennis Team in Highlands Ranch that fit that definition.

The team was the Highlands Ranch Girls 10 Intermediate "B' Level Red Team, and the players were: Emily Kohn, Lauren Shubin, Madeline Baskall, Kendall Smith, Jordan Wade, Emily Haigh, and Kendra Lavallee.

Only three of the seven girls knew each other at the beginning of the season, but by the end of the season all seven called each other their friend.

The girls met twice a week at the Tennis Pavilion at the Recreation Center at Northridge to practice with their coach Rick Edens and teaching assistant Tyler Showe.

As Emily Kohn stated, "Rick WHOOPED us into shape!" during these practices!

According to coach Rick Edens, "I saw the potential in each one of the girls at the beginning of the season, and wanted them to work hard and have their hard work pay off!"

During the team's seven matches against other tennis clubs in the South Metro area, Deb Kohn, Team Parent, ensured that out of fairness, each girl played both Singles and Doubles and each girl played with every other girl.

Deb's goal was to "foster a genuine team spirit." It worked! The girls enjoyed a winning season, losing only one match, and were excited when they were asked to go on and compete in the Colorado State Tennis Association finals.

As Kendra said, being invited to play in the finals was "awesome", and as Kendra's mom Michelle said, they knew the competition would be "fierce!"

Rick continued to coach his team on and felt that through their hard work all season the girls had "grown stronger, both physically and mentally" and were ready for the challenge.

The girls finished second in their age division in State, with the Number One and Number Two Singles going to two tiebreakers each! Throughout the final matches the HRCA Girls 10 Team held tough. They played their best and although they came in second, that fact did not diminish the girls enthusiasm or positive attitude, along with genuine admiration for their competitors. The HRCA girls team shared the pride and sense of accomplishment that the first place Greenwood Athletic Club had earned.

The referees at the Colorado Tennis Association Junior Team Tennis Finals noted the teams great team spirit and comaraderie and good nature and awarded them the Junior Team Tennis Sportsmanship Award! In addition to this honor, the girls will be presented with a $100 check.

Team Parent Deb Kohn said the girls have decided to share this award with others less fortunate. Using a portion of the money for a team ice cream social, the remainder will go to a charity the girls have chosen. As Michelle Lavallee said, it seemed "only right" to give back to others, and that's they way they girls wanted it.

The girls decided to share their award with Girls on the Run. This is a non-profit, character development program that encourages at risk preteen girls to develop self respect and healthy lifestyles through running, and examples of living a healthy lifestyle.

As Michelle said, through this small Highlands Ranch Junior Team Tennis girls team, that was in their first year of play, the girls learned so much.

They learned not only about tennis but about getting along with others, winning, losing, and displaying good sportsmanship through it all!