VYPE: What are your goals this season ?
Jessi: I would like to improve my individual game by pushing myself to hit at a higher level and at a more intense pace. As a team, I would like to do well at state.
VYPE: What has your sport taught you that you use in your daily life?
Jessi: Tennis has taught me how to solve problems, be a team player, and push myself in tough situations.
VYPE: What does your team mean to you?
Jessi: My team means the world to me. We’ve gone through thick and thin; we are a family.
VYPE: Who inspires you and why?
Jessi: My parents are without a doubt my biggest inspiration. They are my biggest support
team and encouragers. They have always pushed me to work hard and be my best in every situation.
VYPE: What teammate has left the biggest impression on you and why?
Jessi: My older sister, Ava, has probably left the biggest impression on me. Ava is a great athlete, hard worker, and good friend. She got me into tennis, so I can give her some credit for some of my achievements. I would also like to give a shout out to Lauren Burden, one of our assistant coaches. She is not technically my teammate, but we have created a true connection that I am very thankful for.
VYPE: What is your favorite part about being on a team?
Jessi: I love being on a team because of the family aspect to it. Traditionally, tennis is an individual sport, but because of the atmosphere our coach has created, we are more like a family. Our coach is very encouraging that we always support each other – not only on the court, but off the court as well. We are all very close and we do lots of things together.
VYPE: You can pick any place for a summer vacation, where do you go and who do
you take with you?
Jessi: I would love to go to Australia with my family. It would be awesome to get to see all of the wildlife and get to go to the Australian Open.
VYPE: What is the best advice you have ever received ?
Jessi: One of my assistant coaches, Noah Watkins, once told me “When you are no longer able to change your situation, we are challenged to change ourselves” and that really stuck with me.
VYPE: Here is your chance to say hello, goodbye or thank you to anyone you wish.
Jessi: I would like to thank all of my coaches who’ve gotten me to where I am today. I would like to give a special thank you to the man himself, Terry Swopes. He has seen me though my highs and lows, on and off the court, and has never given up on me.
