Oswego East Student-Athlete of the Week-Samantha Stevens

Being a member of the varsity tennis team as only a freshman was a big challenge for sophomore Samantha Stevens. "Last season, I went into tournaments and matches not knowing what to expect, which was a little nerve-racking," says Samantha. As the #2 singles player again this season, Samantha provides a wealth of experience and leadership as only a sophomore. Not only does she understand what it takes to be successful, but her hard work and continued improvement in each part of her game have led to an undefeated season for her up to this point, which is why she is this week’s Oswego East student-athlete of the week.

The court has always been home for Samantha, who started playing tennis around age 4. It was her experiences with older players that motivated her to start taking the game seriously. "I took several breaks, but by 5th grade, I started seeing high school players practice, and it motivated me to play more and improve my game," says Samantha.

That work provided her with an opportunity to earn a spot on the varsity last season as only a freshman, where she found early success by taking 2nd in conference in #2 singles and earning All-Conference distinction. "As a freshman, Samantha was already a skilled player, but this season she has learned how to spot opportunities and, with improved offensive weapons, take effective put-away shots," says Peter Conrad, head tennis coach.

A willingness to always work on herself as a person and player are traits that go beyond the court. "Samantha is one of the most hard-working, determined, and resilient people I know. She always tries her best and has a positive mindset," says April Stevens, Samantha’s mom.

Entering her sophomore season, Samantha could now not only improve her own game but also take on more of a leadership role. "I have a much better understanding of what my opponents are going to look like this season, and I try to offer a lot of advice to girls who are new to varsity this season," says Samantha. Coach Conrad has seen his sophomore #2 singles player step up this season, saying, "While Samantha has a tendency to be quiet on the courts and during practice, she sets a great example for our younger player, a role I believe will be even more important during her junior and senior years."

As only a sophomore, Samantha’s future as a tennis player is no doubt incredibly bright, but she is also finding a great deal of success in the present with two first-place finishes in Invitationals this season. "After Wednesday’s win, Samantha improved her record to 16-0," says Conrad. He goes on to say, "Her improvements should help her take first place in the conference tournament this year. While she will remain at #2 singles this season, I’m excited to see how her skills and continued growth will play at #1. She has one win at 1st singles this year and by next year should be one of the strongest #1’s in the conference, hopefully becoming a state qualifier along the way."

It is not just on the court that Samantha shines; she is also a high-achieving student and servant leader in the community. "Last year, Samantha started volunteering with the Buddy Up Tennis program, an adaptive tennis and fitness program for individuals (age 5+) with Down syndrome, a program she has found incredibly rewarding," says April. April goes on to say," Samantha looks forward to it each week and has also started a part-time job at 5 Star Tennis at her tennis club helping coach kids of all ages."

Despite volunteering, playing, and working, Samantha finds time to prioritize academics as well. She has earned a 4.6 cumulative GPA and has her sights set on attending college and eventually attending medical school. "Samantha’s an incredibly hard worker and very conscientious," says Kurt Gulbro, the department chair for the foreign language department and Samantha’s Spanish teacher during her freshman year.

Samantha is hoping to possibly play tennis at the collegiate level, but the medical field has always been something she has wanted to pursue. "Ever since she was young, Samantha wanted to be a pediatrician, and while her desire to go into medicine has not wavered, her specialty may change," says April. She goes on to say, "Samantha has a lot of qualities like empathy, compassion, and an analytical mind that would enable her to be successful in medical school." Kurt believes she will also be successful in the field, saying, "Samantha is intelligent and combines that intelligence with a great work ethic. She will be successful for sure."

In just the fall of her sophomore year, plenty can change for Samantha’s future plans, but what will not change is her desire to pursue excellence in every avenue of her life. For future Wolves, Samantha advises them to "establish relationships with your teachers and do not be afraid to ask questions." The relationships she has with her teammates will most likely yield a great deal of success for both Samantha and the tennis program this season and in the future.