Maria Hawkins picks up where brother left off

Written By:
Ebony Turner

Published:
Dec. 04 2009

        The girl’s tennis team ended their regular season with a final record of 6-6. The season ended after the team lost their final match against Walter Johnson in a huge upset of 0-7. However, the season was not over for freshman superstar, Maria Hawkins, junior captains Geraldine Gotera and Caroline Davenport, freshman Hana Yi and sophomores Labria Williams and April Wong. These girls continued playing into the postseason, competing in the County tournaments and some even placing in Regional’s.
    Hawkins first started playing competitive tennis when she was little, spending a lot of her time on the court practicing to be a better player. Hawkins’ older brother, Peter, who graduated in ‘09 was on the boys tennis team all four years of high school and has had a huge influence on her.
        “My brother and I play together and help each other out. I used to come to many of his matches and cheer him on. He always gives me tips and helps me with my game,” Hawkins said.
        Along with her brother having influence her, many of Hawkins’ idols are pro tennis players. Roger Federer, Maria Sharapova, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, are just a few of Hawkins’ major influences and idols.
     This year, Hawkins and the other few of the 20 girls from all over Montgomery County participated in Counties. Hawkins won the first round in Counties, but she lost. However, she continued on to Regional’s. After participating against girls from all over the region, Hawkins placed third overall in Regionals.
      “I was happy that I placed third, but I hope to do better next year. I really want to go farther in Counties and do a lot better overall,” Hawkins said.
    Hawkins participated in the singles portion of the tournament as the number one singles player on the tennis team. Instead of playing with a partner against two other girls, Hawkins played by herself against one other person.
   Next year, Hawkins hopes to participate in Counties again and place higher in Regional’s.
    This season held the first high school matches Hawkins has played in, but it is not the first time she has competed in tournaments. Although Hawkins was not the only girl to participate in Counties from Springbrook, she was the only girl to go on to Regionals.