Deven Summers was always a football player, but when his friends convinced him to try tennis during his junior year at Norwin High School, his athletic career took a complete 180-degree turn.
Summers went on to play tennis at the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg for four years. He now coaches the university’s men’s and women’s tennis teams.
This summer, he hopes the students he teaches at the Norwin Summer Tennis Camp will come to love the sport as much as he does.
“This is something that can spark interest in any level of tennis player and is as inclusive as it can be,” Summers said.
The annual summer camp, run by the Norwin High School Tennis Boosters, directly supports the high school players. It helps the team purchase banners, apparel and end-of-year gifts, and funds the annual banquet.
Four three-day sessions will be hosted at the Norwin tennis courts beginning June 8 through July 15.
Students at the camp will learn an array of techniques, from how to position their bodies while playing to how to serve, Summers said.
Beyond his knowledge of the sport, Summers said he hopes to teach students about the camaraderie tennis has to offer.
“I always enjoyed the relationships I made along the way,” he said. “That’s something I will be able to share … how to interact with people in the sport or starting friendships.”
Students are divided into three groups based on age and skill level. Students in first through fourth grades practice from 8 to 9 a.m.; beginners in fifth through eighth grades practice from 9 to 10:15 a.m.; and advanced students in seventh through 11th grades practice from 10:15 to 11:30 a.m.
Sessions take place June 8-10, June 15-17, June 22-24 and July 13-15. Sessions for students in first through fourth grades cost $50, and the remaining sessions cost $60.
Email norwinknightstennis@gmail.com for registration information.