The tennis ball flies back-and-forth over the net at Walsh Jesuit High School’s center court.
A soft lob here. A rocket shot there. So it goes for at least 10 volleys on this blustery Monday afternoon at the home of the Warriors.
Junior Katelyn Hissong battles Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy’s Asia Harris in a singles match. Soft grunts escape Harris’ torso as she returns Hissong’s shots. Hissong methodically answers Harris’ returns. Eventually it happens, however. Hissong picks her moment and finds a spot in the very corner of the court and “THUD!” wins the point in one of many battles within the war.
Both have qualified for the state tennis tournament in Columbus this weekend, but it’s Hissong who won this match 7-6, 6-2.
If patience is a virtue, it’s serving Hissong, who will be the third seed in the Division I event in Columbus, as well. In her match against Harris, she waited her out in the first set and dominated her in the second.
“In girls tennis you have to be able to make sure you’re going to hit a few more balls than the other player, then play some offense. You just can’t sit back and do nothing,” Warriors coach Rocco Cona said. “That time may come on the fifth ball or the 20th ball, but you have to be willing to stay out there long enough.”
That she did, but for Hissong showing that patience means something completely different.
“I always have to wait for my opportunity and not go for too much because I always want to play consistently,” she said.
There is an urge to chuck that aspect of her game at times, she confesses.
“Sometimes I do go for the kill shot a little too quickly and too often,” she said recognizing the weakness in her overall game.
She, will however, have to continue to be patient when she takes to the court this weekend on the campus of Ohio State. It won’t be her first time there, having qualified last year. But it will be her first time flying solo at state. Moving her to his prime slot — first position — was never a problem for Cona.
“I felt, based on what I’d seen from her through the season, that she was up to the task,” he said.
It’s a decision that has paid off.
She qualified for the state tournament as a sophomore in doubles with Cristin Reed. They finished third, an experience she remembers and learned from.
“It’s different strategy for sure and different levels of competition. They’re both fun,” she said. “I think they both have their pros and cons.”
One that comes under the heading of pro and con is the fact that it’s singles. Ultimately, you’re out there on an island relying on yourself.
“With doubles it’s always nice to have extra help. My doubles partner last year — Cristin — was really good, so it was nice to have her,” Hissong said.
Another aspect of playing singles, a player can only blame themselves for mistakes. Hissong said that’s the case in doubles also and she still remembers last year.
“There were a couple shots where I thought if I done something differently that would have made a difference, so I’m just going to go back and play harder,” she said.
Cona said that when Hissong takes the court, her patience will come into play. But he doesn’t view that as her primary asset.
“Her biggest strength is between her ears,” Cona said. “She is one of the most mentally tough young ladies with whom I’ve had the privilege to work, not only here at Walsh but at my club [Springside Racquet and Fitness Club in Bath]. She’s very mentally tough, she digs in. She’s a great fighter.”
George M. Thomas can be reached at sportswriterabj@sbcglobal.net. Read the high school blog at http://www.ohiomm.com/blogs/varsity_letters/. Also on Twitter at http://twitter.com/ABJ_Varsity. Follow ABJ sports on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/sports.abj.
