Nicolet National Bank Senior Spotlight

How did you get started playing your sport(s)?

I started off playing tennis when I was six. My parents started signing me up for youth camps, which helped spark my interest in the sport. As the years went on not only was I doing tennis camps, but also playing with my mother, as she formally played in college. Going into middle school, I was on the tennis team, and started to do group lessons. As I transitioned into high school, I started doing private lessons, going to week-long camps in Whitewater and Minnesota, and practicing everyday; either by myself, with an instructor, or fellow teammates. I started playing softball when I was 4. I started off playing t-ball and progressively worked to play at a higher level. I went to camps, and played rec league during the summer. Transitioning into high school, I played for our futures team, which was a more competitive league during the summer.

How has the balance between academics and athletics changed for you from freshman to senior year?

My balance between academics and athletics has changed progressively throughout high school. As a freshman, my academic workload was very manageable, even though I participated in three sports. My freshman year gave me a foundation on how to manage my time and balance my other responsibilities. As my classes became more challenging, having the foundation I created my freshman year made it a lot easier to handle both my academic workload and athletic commitments. By the time I reached my senior year, I was able to stay organized, and successfully balance both the academic and athletic aspects of high school.

What is your favorite part of this sport?

My favorite part of tennis is being able to control how I approach a match. You can either play by yourself or with a partner, and I was blessed to be able to play with someone I was good friends with, which made tennis so much more enjoyable.
My favorite part of softball is how it’s a team sport. Everyone relies on each other to play to their potential, but even when you can’t, the team is always there to pick you up.

What is the most challenging part of this sport?

I think the most challenging part of both tennis and softball is not getting in your head after making a mistake. It is easy to dwell on an error, but you have to move past that otherwise it’ll affect your performance for the rest of the game. I have learned that I can’t change what happened, but can control how I respond. I try to put my energy into the next point or play.

Do you have a bucket list goal that pertains to your sport?

My ultimate goal was to make it to state my senior year, and potentially play in college, and I am blessed to have reached both of those goals.

Do you have any pre-game rituals/routines/superstitions?

Karaoke on the bus ride down to a tournament or game with the team.

Dream vacation destination?

Bora Bora or the Maldives.

Favorite food?

Tacos.

Random fun fact about you?

I have five younger sisters.

Any hobbies outside of your sport?

Baking, volunteering, hanging out with friends

Favorite movie/TV show?

How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days.

Looking forward to most about recently graduating?

Getting to experience a “new” way of life and meet more people.

Any summer plans before going off to college/work?

Going on vacation with my friend, hanging out with friends and playing tennis.

Any memorable coaches or teammates you’d like to shout out?

I would like to shout out both my tennis coaches, Paul and Carrie Miller, for teaching me that I can control my attitude, effort, and sportsmanship and always believing I can achieve more than I may think. I would also like to shout out my softball coach, Scott Hermes, for teaching me to have a next play mentality and to not dwell on previous mistakes.

Future Plans? (college, major, career, etc.)

I am furthering my academic and athletic career playing tennis at Carroll University, while planning to major in business.