Mia Gassert places second at the district tournament for girl’s tennis

    Hamburg sophomore Amelia Gassert recently took second place at the district tournament for girl’s tennis. Gassert’s overall record so far this season is 17-2, including counties and district tournaments. Amelia faced tough competition from teams like Wyomissing and Reading to reach the district tournament, however she was very successful against both teams. She beat Wyomissing 6-2, 6-0 and Reading 6-3, 6-0, making her eligible to play in districts. In the district tournament, she won against Middletown, Camp Hill, and Lancaster Catholic and lost to Lancaster Country Day. 

     Amelia started playing tennis when she was 11 years old, and it has become her passion ever since. She is a three sport athlete, also playing basketball and softball, but she considers tennis to be her favorite sport. “When I first started playing, it felt different compared to other sports. I wanted to get better at it instantly, and the better I got the more I liked it,” says Gassert. When asked about what she considers the hardest part about playing tennis, Gassert said “the mental aspect of the game since most of the time you are all alone, so you have to be able to dig yourself out of a hole.”

     Gassert also plays at a racket and fitness club in Exeter, called Hillcrest, to get even more practice outside of school tennis. “I love the coaches at Hillcrest, and we’ve become really close. I really trust my coaches there,” says Gassert. At Hillcrest, she has played against tough competitors to help her prepare for matches against local schools. “The people I play with are way more skilled than I am, so I can really improve my game.”

     Gassert is proud of her achievements this school year and is looking forward to another successful season next year as she hopes to take home the first place medal at the district tournament in 2023. 

     HAHS wishes her the best of luck in all of her athletic pursuits during the rest of the school year.