Monday evenings during the summer, the tennis courts are abuzz with activity.

Players ranging from high school to decades beyond their educational years descend on the courts to enjoy an evening of tennis.

“(It’s for) anybody that wants to play,” Kourtney Maisog said. “It’s more social, fun. To get together and play a sport we all like.”

The group, which began in 2016, is informally organized, not under the umbrella of any municipal or athletic organization.

“I enjoy playing tennis. It’s good exercise, you get to meet new people because you never know who will show up and I have friends that play,” said Gary Muhlenkort, who has been with the group since its inception. “I do it for the fun. There’s a lot of younger players; I think they learn from it. We get to use it as a teaching tool as well.”

The group primarily plays doubles. Maisog said they draw for partners after each match.

“Every round, you draw,” Maisog said. “Potentially, you have different partners and play different people, so it keeps it even and random.”

At the end of the evening, the top four will compete in the championship.

“When we decide it’s time for the championship, we add up your score. Even if you lose a match — the more games you win, you add all the games won,” Maisog said. “It doesn’t matter if you won or lost the matches.”

Seth Kyler is entering his junior year at Ellsworth Jr./Sr. High School. During his sophomore year, he advanced to regionals, but not to state.

“The Ellsworth Summer Tennis Program has been such a great opportunity for me to really diversify my skills, get more practice in and meet new people who’ve played the sport for years,” he said. “I have only played since my freshman year, so it’s nice getting pointers from players with more experience.

“My favorite memory was being pretty successful over the summer, but having to really work for it. The best memory was one evening when it was really hot, I ended up winning five out of five matches with 30 points and got first place. I was proud of myself for that.”

Cassidy Kroboth lives in Wichita, but is in the process of moving back to Ellsworth. She is a 2019 EJSHS graduate, where she went to state tennis in doubles her junior and senior years.

“I love the community and to me, I’ve always loved tennis. I will never stop playing,” she said. “I love it. I like the involvement, I like everyone that’s there. I grew up with most of the people that are playing, except the high school students.”

Kroboth said even after she graduated, she would attend home tennis matches.

“I enjoy seeing the upcoming students,” she said.

The variety of players is something Kroboth said she enjoys.

“Your partner not being the same every time, you learn to play a different style of tennis,” she said.

Maisog said the group prefers to keep players at high school age and above. Players do not have to commit to the entire summer, but a $1 per night contribution is requested.

“If you’re invested, you’ll stay for the whole night,” she said. “We use the money to buy tennis balls. We have new tennis balls each week.”

In addition to bragging rights, the group has sponsors for each night, and the top players win a prize.

“For me, it’s playing for the fun,” Muhlenkort said. “We have a lot of great sponsors. If you make it to the finals, you get a prize. That’s always fun. If you make it to the finals, it’s a nice bonus.”

Maisog said the group begins early in June and concludes before the high school season starts in August.

“We have people who come one week every summer, we have people that are there every single week,” she said. “We have people who come from out-of-town who used to be here and might join us.”

Muhlenkort said he enjoys the group.

“The younger ones coming up are starting to play. It’s usually a new infusion of new blood playing, so that’s always good,” he said. “You may end up with somebody that has a lot more experience or doesn’t. It’s still fun, win or lose.”

Maisog said the group was created for the fun of it.

“Tennis is an enjoyable, lifelong sport,” she said. “You don’t have to be the fastest or hit the hardest to still enjoy it, be competitive and have a good time.”