Assistant tennis coach David Sands is one of many new teachers on campus for the 2024-2025 school year. Wingspan caught up with Sands to learn more about him and his plans for upcoming practices and tournaments.

Wingspan: How have your first few weeks been?

Sands: “They’ve been great, Liberty has been really accepting, all the kids and teachers have been really friendly and it feels like home away from home. So it’s been awesome.”

Wingspan: What ignited your passion for tennis?

Sands: “I played hockey growing up and when the high school didn’t have a hockey team I wanted to play a sport so I tried tennis during freshman year and I liked it. And it grew from there.”

Wingspan: What made you want you to start coaching?

Sands: “I’ve taught tennis at a country club and I really enjoyed working with kids, seeing them develop and improve and so then I decided to go get my teaching license and follow that adventure.”

Wingspan: What’s your favorite part about being a coach?

Sands: “My favorite part about being a coach is watching kids progress, seeing them from day one when I get them as like a freshman, sophomore, whatever year I get them and then by the end of their senior year how they’ve grown up as a person – they’ve improved all around, on and off the court, that’s probably the best thing.”

Wingspan: What’s your least favorite part?

Sands: “Sometimes long hours, you know you’re here really late at night but I think it’s worth it.”

Wingspan: What are you planning on accomplishing this year?

Sands: “I think it’s just the kids to be the best versions of themselves and honestly wins are always great,you wouldn’t be a coach if you weren’t competitive and didn’t like winning so beating the teams we should and maybe upsetting a team we shouldn’t and just fighting and playing hard to the end.”

Wingspan: If you had to choose a dream vacation where would it be?

Sands: “Ireland, I’ve always wanted to play golf there.”

Wingspan: Who is someone you look up to and why?

Sands: “Somebody I know would probably be my mom. But somebody I don’t know would be Rafael Nadalll because of how well he plays and how hard he works.”

Wingspan: What advice would you give to aspiring tennis players and athletes alike?

Sands: “Time.You don’t have a lot of time and you need to use that time to hone your craft and improve.The amount of time you put in is how you’ll get results. Talent will only take you so far.”