During an impromptu photo session, Wyandotte senior tennis player Emmett Oswald was asked to move up to the front of the net for the team shot. That resulted in cheers and plenty of smiles from his teammates, who are all in with their support of their ace player. And as the captain, Oswald is all in with his support of them.

Oswald has been the Bears’ ace for the last two seasons, serving as the team’s number-one singles player.

Last season was filled with highlights, including all-league, regional runner-up, state qualifier and team MVP.

“The highlight from last season was definitely winning the league and regional trophies,” he said. “Also, that group was one of the closest bonds I have had with a team and I felt you could tell anyone anything on the team.”

Early in October, Oswald was on pace for another big season, racking up an 18-2 record and a league champion title at one singles.

“My personal goals this season were to come in and try to improve at the net,” he said. “I have always struggled hitting volleys and overheads so this year that was my biggest focus. Although I am still not the greatest at them, I have improved and also found ways to work around it.”

There is no working around his support for his school and teammates.

“This year’s team is very close, even though some people left and new teammates joined it seems as if we have had a strong growing bond forever,” he said. “I am very glad the team can joke around and make fun of everyone because it can lighten the mood when another teammate can be mad.”

Getting mad and keeping those emotions in check is a big part of tennis and Oswald seems to have a handle on it.

“Mentally you have to have a short memory,” he said. “I try to forget the mistake I had just made or learn from it and try to grow from the mistake. Keeping composure is easy to me because I have always been very calm during sports and able to keep my emotions to the side.”

Emmett, 17, is the son of Kirk and Susan Oswald. He has netted a 3.5 GPA in the classroom and also rows for the Bears. His older brother first introduced him to tennis.

“I started playing a lot the summer going into freshman year with my friends and my passion for the competition in tennis grew,” he said. “I liked the sport because of the bond you grow with the team and also because I can control my match.”

He played one singles on JV as a freshman but did play a few tournaments with the varsity at four singles. As a sophomore, he played four singles and won the league and regionals, making it to states before falling to the number-two seed.

Oswald said he is still figuring out his future and whether tennis will be a part of it.

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