Senior Series - Sophia Mattes

Hawken Athletics has played a large role during my time at both the Upper School and the Lower School. I have made lifelong friends, improved greatly as an athlete, and found a comfortable setting to continue playing the sports I love. As a Hawken tennis player, I have bettered myself in my chosen sport as a teammate and as a player. I've developed relationships with coaches that have increased my enjoyment of the sport I decided to play, and I have found a family that has always supported me no matter what. 

The ability to rely on and support a team is certainly something remarkable. Every player makes an attempt to support their teammates during each match, whether they are participating in the action or not. Additionally, those players that play and finish the game early always find the time to stay and watch their teammates finish the match. Tennis is generally thought of as being more of an individual sport, but people tend to forget that a team is the foundation of the game, and this team is always behind me. In addition to my teammates, my coaches are constantly by my side, no matter what. During a match, I frequently hear, "Let's go, Soph," and, "You've got this kiddo." They might not realize it, but even the smallest cheers keep me, as a player, encouraged. Of course I want to win—who doesn't?—but it continually drives me to play to the best of my ability, regardless of how tired I may be, even if I'm almost at the end of my match. I have truly found a place where I belong and where I feel confident in myself. 

When I step onto the court, my entire focus lands on the match. I tune out everything else, and it is the best feeling in the world. One of the things that makes it so much better when you step up as an athlete to start a match, race, or game is the feeling of releasing everything dragging you down off your shoulders for an hour or two. It's as if you've entered an alternate universe and you're only goal is to play, and play well. Thanks to Hawken Athletics, I have had the opportunity to play with an amazing family and to be coached by the best mentors. I firmly believe that I would have lost out on a fantastic chance if I hadn't decided to continue playing in high school; thank God I didn't.