Mallory Thompson returns a serve during a tennis clinic at the Alvamar tennis courts. The clinic was instucted by Kirstey Elliott.

November isn’t usually a month where the sport of tennis comes readily to mind.

But last Wednesday’s unusually high temperatures offered a group of Lawrence youngsters the perfect opportunity to think of nothing but.

The tennis courts next to Bishop-Seabury Academy may often look empty, and on some days they are. But Wednesdays have brought activity to the courts in the form of the Spot-On Tennis clinics.

Kirstey Elliott, instructor and tennis coach at Bishop- Seabury Academy, moved to Lawrence from Georgia where she was an instructor at tennis club. When she arrived in Lawrence with her husband, she found herself essentially starting over.

“When I moved here I found that Lawrence didn’t have a whole lot of options as far as tennis goes,” Elliott said.

In response, Elliott began the Spot-On tennis clinics in an effort to bring the game she loved to the young people of her new city.

The Wednesday gatherings didn’t start off the way Elliott had planned, however.

“At first there weren’t a whole lot of kids coming out,” Elliot said. “But now I think it’s gaining a little bit. We’ve had a better turnout lately.”

Elliot’s Wednesday gatherings aren’t typical of her normal routine. She offers aspiring tennis players private programs on other days of the week, but Wednesdays at the Alvamar tennis courts belong to everyone.

“The Wednesday clinic is open to anyone who wants to come,” Elliot said. “I think people drive by and see us playing and think that it’s part of Seabury. But I would encourage anyone to drop by and see what we’re doing.”

What they’re doing is a simple introduction to a sport that could last kids a lifetime. While most high activity sports have a shelf-life, tennis can be played for many years.

And to get to that point, Elliott felt the younger the kids started learning, the better the chances of tennis being in their lives for good.

“It helps to give them the opportunity for success while they are young,” Elliott said. “It’s easier for them to want to get better if they feel good about themselves now.”

The openness of the program appealed to parents as well.

Joey Magrel, mother of 11-year-old participant Ella Magrel, felt the program was a timely addition to her daughter’s sports experience.

“She was interested in learning the game and I liked the idea of her keeping active,” Magrel said. “The clinic has been great, it kind of just fell into our laps and now she loves it.”

Elliot’s clinic started with just four students and know has grown to eight. Not a huge number for a program looking to get off the ground, but when it comes down to it, numbers aren’t important to Elliot.

“I feel invigorated when I see the kids learning tennis,” Elliot said. “It makes all the hard work worthwhile to see them enjoying themselves.”

The benefits of the sport have rubbed off on those who have gathered for the clinic.

Parker Davies, an avid soccer player, found things about the game not found in other sports.

“I like tennis because you get to play multiple games,” Davies said. “It’s a challenge to play by yourself.”

Brothers Ryan and Randy Walter found themselves becoming fans of the game as well.

Elder brother Ryan began to come to the clinics early and as Elliott noted, found himself the only boy in the group.

“He wasn’t thrilled about it,” Elliott said. “But I gave him 100 percent for that one time.”

The effort paid off and the details of the game began to sink in.

Ryan changed his tune and now the sport may have made itself a part of his future.

“I think it’s definitely a game I could get good at,” Ryan said. “I like it a lot it quite a bit.”

Randy, who Ryan brought along after his initial time at the clinic, liked the game for exactly the reason his instructor had hoped.

“I like the game because you can play when you get old,” Randy said. “A lot of sports aren’t like that.”

For more info on the Wednesday sessions call Kirstey Elliott at 841-0636 or email her at kirsteenelliott@hotmail.com.