STUDENT WRITER

TENNIS HAS BEEN A GOOD FIT FOR ERICA LUCAS

by Kalyn Reed, 11th Grader Ardrey Kell High School   

Most high school students have grown up playing certain sports, rarely does one pick up a sport for the first time and find success in high school.  Erica Lucas, a Junior at Ardrey Kell High School found success on the tennis court. Since the summer between 9th and 10th grade,  Erica Lucas has been playing tennis.  Erica played soccer when she was 8 years old until she was 14 when she began to loose interest in the sport.  When Erica stopped playing soccer she knew she had to find something else to do. Erica’s mother Barbara Coward, suggested tennis and she decided to give it a try.  Little did Erica know that  suggestion would lead to her playing for the Ardrey Kell Varsity tennis team in 2006. 

            Erica Lucas came to Ardrey Kell from South Mecklenburg High school where she played on the tennis team her sophomore year.  When asked about the transition she said “It was challenging to come from a team where you know everyone to a team where you know very few of the players but it was a nice group of girls and we bonded quicker than was expected.” 

            With Monday through Thursday and the occasional Friday practices until 4:30 pm it was challenging for Erica to balance a tough class load and practice.  Erica is taking three Advanced Placement courses this year and some of them are the most challenging offered at Ardrey Kell High School.  On Tuesdays and Thursdays when the team had matches Erica stayed awake into the late hours of the evening. Most nights the team didn’t get home until 9:30 pm or later.  However, Erica still recommends tennis to anyone who asks because as she said “if you put your heart into it you will see results.” 

            Lucas’s favorite part of playing tennis is watching herself improve but she admits the only drawback is that “It is a mind game, without other teammates on the court it is sometimes hard to pick yourself up when you are down.”  Erica prefers playing doubles because “there is someone else on the court to keep you motivated.”

            The tennis season has now ended at Ardrey Kell High School but Erica will continue to take private lessons at Park Road Park with her coach.  These tennis lessons will keep Erica in shape for what looks to be a promising senior year.