The Italy Tennis Team tested their skills against Palmer

Image: Kaytlyn Bales tries to add finesse to her power game — Kaitlyn Bales competes in both powerlifting and tennis.

Kaytlyn Bales tries to add finesse to her power game — Kaitlyn Bales competes in both powerlifting and tennis. (Barry Byers)

Image: Gladiator rehearsal — Thumbs up or thumbs down? Zachary Hernandez practices his end of the battle request to the crowd on whether he should let his opponent survive, with a thumbs up, or end the match with a thumbs down.

Gladiator rehearsal — Thumbs up or thumbs down? Zachary Hernandez practices his end of the battle request to the crowd on whether he should let his opponent survive, with a thumbs up, or end the match with a thumbs down. (Barry Byers)

Image: Jacob Lopez — Tennis ace Jacob Lopez practices the night before Palmer.

Jacob Lopez — Tennis ace Jacob Lopez practices the night before Palmer. (Barry Byers)

Image: Nice racket — Eddie Garcia and Jacob Lopez create a cool tennis image.

Nice racket — Eddie Garcia and Jacob Lopez create a cool tennis image. (Barry Byers)

Image: Three-peats — Jacob, Delma and Eddie played for Coach Hamby last season and are back to make another run at district.

Three-peats — Jacob, Delma and Eddie played for Coach Hamby last season and are back to make another run at district. (Barry Byers)

Image: Zach’s having a blast — Zach Hernandez shows the power.

Zach’s having a blast — Zach Hernandez shows the power. (Barry Byers)

Image: NASHty! — Jonathan Nash keeps his eye on the ball.

NASHty! — Jonathan Nash keeps his eye on the ball. (Barry Byers)

Image: The approach — A foreign exchange student from Germany, Lisa Olschewsky gets into the swing of things with the Italy Tennis team.

The approach — A foreign exchange student from Germany, Lisa Olschewsky gets into the swing of things with the Italy Tennis team. (Barry Byers)

Image: Jacob looks it in — Jacob Lopez closes in on the ball.

Jacob looks it in — Jacob Lopez closes in on the ball. (Barry Byers)

Image: Talking tennis — Can you tackle? No. Can you kick the ball? No. Do you get a homerun if you hit over the fence? No. Can you slam it? Yes! That’s cool.

Talking tennis — Can you tackle? No. Can you kick the ball? No. Do you get a homerun if you hit over the fence? No. Can you slam it? Yes! That’s cool. (Barry Byers)

Image: Megan connects — Megan Hopkins gets ready for the season.

Megan connects — Megan Hopkins gets ready for the season. (Barry Byers)

Image: Serving up wins — Kaytlyn Bales gets ready to serve an ace.

Serving up wins — Kaytlyn Bales gets ready to serve an ace. (Barry Byers)

Image: Grace and desire — Jacob Lopez puts the “ace” in grace!

Grace and desire — Jacob Lopez puts the “ace” in grace! (Barry Byers)

Image: Coach Dana Hamby — Coach Dana Hamby practices with the team.

Coach Dana Hamby — Coach Dana Hamby practices with the team. (Barry Byers)

Image: Lisa Olschewsky — Rolling up the sleeves on her Gladiator letter jacket, Lisa Olschewsky gets ready to play.

Lisa Olschewsky — Rolling up the sleeves on her Gladiator letter jacket, Lisa Olschewsky gets ready to play. (Barry Byers)

Image: Taz…Michael! — Michael “Taz” Martinez imagines himself playing on center court at Wimbledon.

Taz…Michael! — Michael “Taz” Martinez imagines himself playing on center court at Wimbledon. (Barry Byers)

Image: Jase is an ace — Jase Holden sports an old gold Italy letter jacket while practicing his overhead swing.

Jase is an ace — Jase Holden sports an old gold Italy letter jacket while practicing his overhead swing. (Barry Byers)

Image: Bales Believes! — What goes up must come down….right? Hang in ther Kaytlyn!

Bales Believes! — What goes up must come down….right? Hang in ther Kaytlyn! (Barry Byers)

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