By Scott Huff
Stephanie Boccuzzi, a young and varsity untested freshman of two seasons ago at Central Bucks East High School, was a mature and varsity experienced junior when the 2008 Suburban One League tennis season began.
“Stephanie has moved from number three singles player as a freshman, to a number two singles last year as a sophomore, and is our number one singles player this year as a junior,” said CB East coach Mylene Greenwood. “She has a tremendous court presence and seems to always make the right shot at the right time.
“Stephanie is more of a power player, but she also has good touch,” added Greenwood. “But maybe her biggest strength is that she is mentally tough. She can make the most out of a bad situation.”
Boccuzzi has made the steady climb from her freshman days at East. And the talented junior is well aware of her improvement of the court.
“I worked hard to earn my spot as a singles player during my freshman year,” said Boccuzzi. “But I also was a little bit intimidated by the level of competition playing against mostly upper classmen.
“I learned a lot last season as a sophomore,” continued Boccuzzi. “And I think that I improved my game quite a bit.”
That improvement has been showcased this junior season, as Boccuzzi goes up against the very best individual players in the newly reformed Continental Conference.
Those number one players will come from CB South, CB West, North Penn, Pennridge, Quakertown, and Souderton.
“One goal I have for the season is to improve my individual record and help our team improve its record,” said Boccuzzi. “I want to give it my best each and every match.”
Both Greenwood and Boccuzzi feel that this season is important if Boccuzzi wants to continue her progression and eventually play at the collegiate level.
“The junior season is usually the turning point for a lot of players,” said Greenwood. “If she does well, she can take it to the next level.
“There is no question that she has the academic talent to play in college,” added Greenwood. “I have been here for five seasons, and I always seem the have excellent students play on the tennis team.”
“With my family, it has always been academics first,” said Boccuzzi. “When the time for college comes, the academics must be rigorous. But I sure would love to continue playing tennis.”
Don’t bet against it.
- Log in to post comments
0
