By Bruce Karnick [email protected] This week’s Student Spotlight is Senior Ellie Haas. Ellie is a member of the Raider tennis team.

Q: When did you start organized tennis?

EH: Sixth grade

Q: Why did you join tennis.

EH: I tried to get into swimming, and I did not like swimming. I saw there are so many people at the tennis courts, and I figured that would be a great way to get into playing, so I joined tennis Q: What other activities are you involved in?

EH: I am in National Honor Society and I am also the Track manager.

Q: What is, your favorite thing about being in tennis?

EH: My favorite thing is just the people who love playing like me. All my teammates cheering me on and enjoying the match. I also LOVE TO PLAY.

Q: What is your least favorite thing?

EH: Sometimes I do not understand the advice I am given. I don’t really know how to put it into my play.

Q: When your team has tons of fans in the stands cheering you on, what does that mean to you?

EH: It makes me feel like tennis is being more involved in the school because no one really knows about us. And no one really like, wants to come watch. Like no one thinks about it. We don’t have a lot of people in the stands normally. So, it feels really great when they are in the stands, and they’re packed, and they’re cheering for us.

Q: What’s your pre-match ritual?

EH: I will take some breaths and then when I go to serve, I always bounce the ball three times.

Q: Do you listen to any music ahead of the match?

EH: I just put on some hype music on my way to the courts from the school to get me pumped.

Q: What did you learn from being on this team?

EH: I’ve learned determination and grit and just trying to get to be your best on the court every single day. I tried to be better than the best rep from yesterday. Just trying to get the get the point is one point at a time Q: How does being on this team make you a better player?

EH: My teammates do because they are very good at cheering us on and supporting everyone. I just feel like I am supported and I matter on this team.

Q: Who do you look up to as your hero?

EH: I look up to like the pros like the ones that no one really knows about because they do their best at everything. They do their best even when no one is really watching. They do play well and they have good determination and grit. Q: What are your post high school aspirations, will this sport be part of that? EH: I plan on going to college for interior design, I just don’t know where yet. Tennis might, probably intramural type stuff.

Q: Most memorable moment with this team?

EH: Senior night it was very fun. Very sad to that was our last one. It was a good match that we played that day. And it’s just sad to know that it’s our senior year and this is the last year that we get to do High School tennis Thank you, Ellie, for taking a few minutes after the match to answer the questions.