Bellbrook -- University of Dayton student-athletes are known for their competitive success, academic achievement and their dedication to community service.  The UD women's tennis team is no different, and on Saturday, March 23 the Flyers volunteered their time at a "Quickstart" tennis clinic.  The clinic, which is for youngsters ages 4 to 7, was held at the Five Seasons Sports Club in Bellbrook.

"I don't think they knew who we were, but that's not the point," Flyer freshman Katie Boeckman said.  "It was fun to be there.  Quickstart is fairly new. They have little nets and use foam balls, and split the court so they are playing a game that is more their size.  I started playing tennis at that age and without all that we were missing a lot more than they were on Saturday.  Some of them were pretty good."

The fact that Five Seasons is the indoor home of UD tennis helped make the day special.  And even though the team was there at 9 a.m. for the clinic, and then had to head back seven hours later for a match against Duquesne, the Flyers were more than happy to help out.

"We are really lucky to have a place as nice as Five Seasons to go to when we cannot go outdoors," Boeckman said.  "They do a lot for us, and I know everyone was happy to help out."

For Boeckman, who is from Dayton and played at Alter High School, it was personal.

"That's my hometown club.  It was neat to give back a little bit to the place and the people who have done so much for me."

But in the end, the focus was on the kids who were there to learn the game, and have fun doing it. 

"It was a fun hour.  The kids were having fun and learning tennis, but their personalities still came out.  Somehow the subject of music came up, and one of the boys said he likes music.  So we asked him who his favorite band was.  He said the 'Bee Gees.'  He's five!  And he likes the Bee Gees!  It was hysterical."

Dayton tennis coach Ryan Meyer recognizes what the clinic meant to his team. 

"We ask a lot of our student-athletes, not just on the tennis team but any sport here at the University of Dayton," Meyer said.  "Between academics, training, competition and travel, every day is an exercise in time management.  Even still, they find time to be involved on campus too.  But being able to do a little community service directly related to their sport made Saturday's volunteering even more special."

"It's something I hope our program can do more of in the future."

Count Boeckman in.  "It was only an hour, but it was a fun hour.  It went by so fast.  It was something very worthwhile and I definitely hope we can do it again."