A great player exhibits leadership, a positive attitude, works hard and encourages others. Senior Julie Balzer exhibits these qualities.

Balzer plays No. 2 singles on the girls varsity tennis team.

“I have played No. 1 singles and doubles before, but I mainly play No. 2 singles,” Blazer said. “This is my first year on varsity, and it introduced me to a higher level of competition, but playing No. 2 singles challenges me but it’s not something I can’t handle.”

Coach Megan Quinley enjoys having Balzer on the team.

“She’s a very good leader,” Quinley said. “She encourages and keeps everyone focused and ready to practice.”

Balzer also leads stretches and warm-ups at practices.

“She keeps the morale of the team up and is loud and happy,” Quinley said. “Everyone feeds off that attitude.”

Balzer was nominated by Quinley for the fact that she is hard working 24/7 and comes to practice ready.

Balzer’s favorite part of tennis is the team.

“I like the girls I play with,” Balzer said. “It’s a very personal sport. We’re a close-knit group.”

Balzer decided to play tennis her sophomore year because she didn’t play a fall sport her freshman year and didn’t like it.

“Sara Schoenthaler told me I should go out so I did,” Balzer said. “I went in not knowing anything but I found I wasn’t too bad at it and I loved it.”

Her first coach was Mark Boze.

“He always challenged me,” Balzer said. “He would throw out challenges at us to try and get us to do better.”

Balzer also has strong feelings for the sport.

“I get very emotional during tennis,” Balzer said. “It’s the only sport I have ever cried in.”

Balzer went to regionals at Newton on Oct. 12 but was unable to advance to state.

“My season is over, which is sad because I am a senior so I’ll never play again,” Balzer said. “I will continue to support Brooke Forinash though as she goes to state.”

14snansel@usd489.com