TIFTON — Brumby Tennis is in action again, with Mike Brumby’s home courts abuzz with activity four days per week.

Young players meet in the mornings, with sessions for beginners and advanced beginners. More competitive players come out Tuesday and Thursday nights. The schedule is busy on Fridays, too, with competition at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College.

Tuesday’s session of advanced beginners saw the young players work on several different techniques. One, to help them with positioning, was when Brumby told them to point the butt of the racquet (the location of the brand mark) towards the incoming ball. They were to say “logo” to indicate they were in position before continuing with their return swing.

At all times, players were aware of sportsmanship. There were frequent handshakes at the net and everyone received praise for his or her play.

Besides the work of Mike and Moppy Brumby, the sessions feature assistants.

One of those assistants is Quay Clark, a former Tift County High tennis player. Clark, who was a novice when he began playing for Tift in middle school, worked his way up the ladder until he was the Blue Devils’ No. 1 singles player as a senior in high school.

Now, in addition to working at Lowe’s and attending Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, Clark is in his second or third year of working with these young athletes.

“It’s fun,” he said. “I enjoy it.”

He is also a Brumby Tennis alumnus, was one of the 2015 awards winners and he has been ranked in the top five on the famous “ladder” used every year in competition for older players.

Among the best things about working with young players, Clark said, was seeing them smile. He said the group was very attentive to the tips he gives them.

Clark works with virtually all of the kids in Brumby Tennis, players ranging in age from 6-14.

Besides helping out with tennis, Clark is employed at Lowe’s. He is also working towards a degree.

“I go to school for nursing,” he said.

Inspired by his mom, who works in healthcare, Clark intends to become a Certified Nursing Assistant. He’s hopeful of being employed by Tift Regional Medical Center.