Pacific Northwest

USTA PNW SPOTLIGHT

USTA Pacific Northwest | March 01, 2020


18 year-old Stephanie Early is not just a tennis player, but a tennis ambassador.  She first picked up a racquet in grade school during her PE class, and now she is a senior on the Roseburg High School tennis team.  For Stephanie, it was instant love for the sport.  "When I picked up a racquet for a first time and hit a tennis ball over the net, I knew I wanted to do this for the rest of my life," she shares.  Now that she is a senior on her high school team, she reflects on how much she's enjoyed the experience.  "My favorite part of playing tennis is being part of a team and being able to travel to many different places for tennis tournaments," says Stephanie, "I have been on the Roseburg High School tennis team since my freshman year, so it’s fun being with some old friends and new friends. I knew some of the girls on the team since I was young, so we got to grew up together as the years gone by. I keep playing tennis because of it."

 

Stephanie keeps her skills sharp by participating in all different types of tennis opportunities - from weekly lessons, to tournaments, and now recently to USTA Leagues.  She does it all!  "My experience on the mixed doubles 8.0 adult league was amazing," says Stephanie about her first Mixed 18 & Over League season this past fall, "I got a chance to play against different doubles teams and clubs."  Stephanie is willing to play with all ages and skill levels - from lesser experienced players trying to improve their game, to practicing with a local women's USTA League team.  She is about to play on a 4.0 Women's Adult 18 & Over team this spring.  She has also played many non-sanctioned adult tournaments and developed many great friendships from that.  One year, she was randomly partnered with a player (Justin) from Bend in the Sunriver Solstice Tournament.  That very next year, Justin called the Tournament Director for the same event and requested to play with Stephanie again.

 

But the most important thing for Stephanie is her attitude on the court.  During her high school tennis season, "...her opponents from other schools tell their coaches how nice and friendly [she] is to play, even when she's beating them badly or losing to another," says her proud mother, Carol. "When Steph loses a match, she'll always congratulate her opponent and wish them the best in their next match. She never shows any negative emotions on the court, and always ready to let her opponent know 'nice shot'."  Stephanie understands the impact her behavior on-court can have and how important it is to set a good example.  "Having good sportsmanship on the court is important because it makes you a better tennis player and team player," says Stephanie, "Being a good sport can give you respect from your opponents, your teammates, and anyone that you might play with that knows you have good sportsmanship...especially younger kids because it teaches them good behavior when they start playing tennis, and it encourages them to continue tennis while having fun."

 

Stephanie's mother, Carol, was a USTA League player herself, but she says she was not the driving force behind Stephanie's first love for tennis.  However, Carol and her husband, David, have helped sustain that love by taking her to all her many tournaments and tennis activities over the years, as well as helping with tournament scheduling and part-time coaching.  "Stephanie is adopted, and since we are seniors, it has given us the opportunity over the years to travel to tournaments year-round. Majority of the time we take our trailer, our 'furries,' and make a camping trip out of it."  When they're not at a tennis event, they spend time as a family enjoying many RV/camping trips all over.

 

Stephanie seeks out to give back to the sport she loves. This summer and during the school year, she volunteers at Umpqua Valley Tennis Center with the 4-6 year-olds.  "Eventually I would like to become a certified teaching instructor.  I love tennis & would like to share that love of playing with little tikes," said Stephanie.  Her successes include attending her State Championships every year of high school, which she hopes to do again this (senior) year.  Although she doesn't have plans to play tennis collegiately, she is going to Umpqua Community College next year, so she plans to continue playing at Umpqua Valley Tennis Center.  She also looks to play on future women's and mixed doubles leagues.  Stephanie is a perfect example of a junior with a great attitude, who is continuing her love of tennis beyond high school into Adult Leagues, tournaments, coaching, and other fun opportunities.  Way to go, Stephanie!

 

*This story was written in combination by USTA PNW staff, Carol and Stephanie Early 

 

 

Do you have a story about a tennis captain, player, volunteer, team, etc. within your PNW community that you want to share with us? Tell us about it here, and we may share it in our future PNW E-Newsletter.  Click HERE or fill out the form below to let us know

 

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