Hinds named Montrose Area Athlete of the Week

BY KATELYN SPELLMAN

Meteor Chronicle

As the number one seed on the Montrose girls’ varsity tennis team, senior Courtney Hinds faces

 some of the top players in the area, according to Coach Jim Hinds.  Through off-season play and training, Courtney has elevated her game to join their ranks and at press time, compiled a record of eight wins and four losses.

For her performance in the number one singles position, Courtney has been named Athlete of the Week.

“Courtney has had an outstanding season thus far, and her play has been consistent every day,” Coach Hinds said. “She has been dominant in her wins and threatening in her losses.”

Daughter of Jim and Lisa Hinds of Montrose, Courtney began playing tennis  competitively at age 10, but her dad introduced her to the game at four.

“Every so often, my dad would bring out the crappy, $20 rackets and take me to the courts to play,” Courtney said. “When I was 10, I started taking lessons and going to group clinics.”

Courtney began playing varsity as a freshman in the number three singles position. During her sophomore and junior seasons, she played number two singles. She currently plays number one singles and serves as team captain. For the past three years, she has also been a manager and “student coach” for the boys’ varsity tennis team.

In addition to attending various camps over the summer and taking lessons at the Binghamton Tennis Center and the Birchwood Racquet Club in Clarks Summit, Courtney plays in United States Tennis Association Tournaments, USTA Junior Team Tennis and the Susquehanna County Tennis Association Winter Tennis program . She is currently ranked sixteenth in the USTA Eastern Pennsylvania Girls’ 18 and Under Division, according to the USTA Web site.

“These days varsity sports are very competitive. If you aren’t doing the work and putting in the time, someone else is,” Coach Hinds said. “Courtney has put in the work, and now she is seeing the benefits.”

By playing outside of the fall tennis season, Courtney has been able to gain valuable match experience, she said.

“At number one singles, I face a lot of pressure situations,” Courtney said. “[By playing year round], I have strong strokes, so if one stroke isn’t working for me, I have a lot of other ones I can fall back on.”

Courtney hopes to play collegiate tennis next year at Colby-Sawyer College, Gordon College, Thomas College or the University of Southern Maine and will make a decision at the conclusion of the season in October. Bur for right now she is focusing on finishing the season strong and doing well in the district playoffs.

“I just want to be the best (player) I can be for my team,” Courtney said.

Athlete of the Week is sponsored by Doug and Cindy Lattner of McDonald’s in Montrose.