TENNIS sisters Olivia and Alexis Peet are proving hard work pays off, three years into a scholarship at a top Hertfordshire School.

Olivia, aged 16, and Alexis, 15, left their home in Greenmount in 2013 to study at Queenswood School in Hatfield, where they also train every day at the Gosling Tennis Academy.

The results have been plain to see, with both girls rising up the Lancashire and national rankings.

Together, they have won the under-16s national schools doubles championships two years running.

Olivia has also made great strides in singles and doubles alongside her school-mates.

She was part of the Queenswood quartet that won the Aberdare Cup - the Team Tennis National Schools Championship - partnering Wimbledon Junior competitor Ema Lazic in a 6-3, 6-1 doubles victory that clinched the title and a place in the world finals in Brazil next year.

The previous week, Olivia and her 16-year-old partner also won the u19s title at the prestigious Independent Schools Doubles Championships at Eton School, while Alexis also won in her age group.

Dad Chris, who played at the highest level of county tennis for many years, and mum Heather said: “We are both extremely proud of both Olivia and Alexis regarding their sporting achievements and the dedication, hard work and sacrifices they have had to make in order to get to the level they have achieved.

"There have been many hard moments as parents over the last three years, with the girls attending boarding school from the ages of 13 and 11.

"But they have handled themselves very well and have matured into two very confident and self-assured young ladies.

"We are very proud of them."

Olivia is currently ranked number three in Lancashire in the women’s category and number one in both the u18s and u16s age groups.

She is also 12th in the UK at u16s level, but she has risen rapidly through the rankings since returning from a break from competitive tennis to concentrate on her IGCSEs exams.

Her next big competition will see Olivia represent Lancashire Ladies in group one - the highest level - of County Week at Eastbourne.

To be selected at such a young age is a great achievement, and follows in her father’s footsteps. Chris competed at group one of county week for Lancashire Men on 16 different occasions, between the age of 17 and 35.