When it comes to high school tennis, some players prefer singles while other like to play doubles.

Seymour’s Madison Pifer sticks to doubles.

“I like having somebody to back me up, and keep me calm and collected,” Pifer said. “I play the left side, the backhand side. I feel it’s easier to take a forehand if I need to and get around the ball.”

Pifer began playing tennis in seventh grade, and moved into the varsity line up her junior year. She is playing No. 1 doubles this season after splitting her time between No. 1 and No. 2 doubles in 2017.

“Communication is key because you have to know where your partner is, and where the ball is going, and if you need to switch sides. You just call it out, and you have to rely on your partner a lot,” Pifer said.

The senior said that, in the warmups before a match, you want to learn as much about your opponent as you can.

“They are very important because you want to know, going into the match, what your opponent can do, and it’s just nice to have a game plan to start out with so you know what you want to do to win,” Pifer said.

Jan Fenton is in her first year as the Owls’ coach, and changes have come with the new program head.

“We have more centralized drills that focus on exact placement and grip strength and all that,” Pifer said. “I’ve really liked that. (Coach Fenton) has made the team feel more like a family. I feel like we know each other a little bit better this year.”

Pifer said she enjoys playing home matches.

“I really like playing at home because you have that home advantage, and it feels cozy,’ Pifer said. “The (resurfaced courts) are a lot nicer than they were before.

On the schedule, Pifer looks forward to the weekend matches.

“I kind of like going to the tournaments and stuff during the day because it’s all at once and you don’t have to worry about school or something at the beginning of the day,” Pifer said. ‘You’re not stressing. I love going to (Shelbyville tournament). Even If I’m not playing I love watching my teammates.”

Pifer and her partner, Mallory Moore, had a record of 2-1 at No. 1 doubles last Saturday in the Shelbyville Tournament.

“I really like the creativity that comes with playing,” Pifer said. “ I have that ‘artists’ mind so I like to mix it up, and I just really like being with my friends and just having a good time with it. The bus rides are pretty fun.”

She said to win sectional, “It’s going to take a lot of mental preparedness to get past those mental blocks and focus.”

Pifer said she has enjoyed attending SHS.

“I kind of like that you still get that one-on-one time with the teachers, even though it is a big school,” Pifer said. “That is what I really liked about St. Ambrose. I’ll remember my friendships with my teammates, and playing around with the boys’ tennis team because I managed with them and it was a lot of fun. I like it here.”

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Name: Madison Pifer

School: Seymour High School

Parents: Kelly and Beth Pifer

Siblings: Macy

Sports: tennis 4 years

Athletic highlights: 3-time sectional champions, 2015 HHC champions

Organizations: National Honor Society, youth ministry at St. Ambrose

Plans after high school: art therapy

Favorite food: spaghetti

Favorite TV show: The Office

Favorite musicians: All Time Low

Favorite movie: The Greatest Showman

Favorite athlete: Roger Federer

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