First person interview with tennis player Cecily Campbell

By Laura Clark

Published: April 16, 2008

Senior Cecily Campbell competes as the first seed for Lancer tennis in singles and doubles (pairing with Brittney Freshour).

On the pressure of playing first seed in singles:
I feel a lot because everybody looks up to me as the leader of the team, and I feel like I need to go out there and prove I can achieve whatever I need to. I set goals for myself each time. I tend to improve each time. I put more pressure on myself than everybody else does because it’s my last year, and I want to get a lot better.
I just have to kind of relax and not let my frustration get into my head because if I do then I’m going to mess up. I try to keep my cool and what happens happens.

On her goal for the Brookville match:
To keep ‘em moving and keep ‘em running. The other day my serve was off, so I want to improve on that today as well.

On her go-to skill:
Probably my serve or my backhand. They’re the ones I always look forward to when I go out there.

And one she’d like to improve:
At the net, my volleying and overheads. I’m not as confident with those. I get really tense at the net, and I want to be really aggressive. If I get aggressive sometimes I just keep hitting it into the net.

On playing year-round:
This year was the first year that I had played all year-round. I can see definite improvement because I had been playing about once a week at least. Then when I came back I felt I was ready to move on in with the season. I didn’t have to worry about getting my old strokes back because I already had those. I felt a little more confident.

On playing doubles with Freshour:
It kind of comes natural for us. We read what we’re doing together. I’m confident when she’s at the net because she goes for everything. We just try to back each other up like we’re supposed to.

On her advice for younger players:
Just go out there, have fun and play relaxed. And if you have fun and you work hard at it, you’re going to get a lot better.

On playing tennis for life:
It’s my passion, and it’s the only sport I’m really good at. I’m not sure about college yet, but I’m going to play forever.

On her plans after graduation:
I’ve been accepted (to) Longwood. I’ve wanted to go there since I was a freshman. They’re one of the top education schools.
Right now my major is English. I want to teach the high school level (like coach P.J. Jones). I interned for her. I just helped grade papers and do her errands. I like it.