news-record.com

LeeAnna Robertson has a way of surprising an opponent on the tennis court.

Just when the other athlete thinks Robertson has run out of steam, the 17-year-old Eastern Guilford High School student finds a surge of energy.

"She just comes on as strong as she can &ellipses; she kind of shocks the other player," said head coach Anita Johnson.

Today Robertson, a senior, will play in the conference tournament with the goal of qualifying for the regionals. Her singles record in the North State 2-A conference is 8-0.

Robertson said she thinks patience is key to her success on the court.

"That's what my coach is always telling me, to be patient and wait for them to make the mistake," she said. "Not trying to hit winners every time."

She first began playing tennis the summer before her freshman year. She'd always enjoyed sports and had played volleyball in middle school.

"I guess I wanted to try something new," she said.

She was named first seed her freshman year and every other season except for sophomore year. She couldn't be on the team that year because she was recovering from a knee injury. She tore her ACL playing soccer.

Except for a few group lessons from a private coach during her freshman year, Robertson hasn't had extra coaching.

"She just picked up tennis very quickly," Johnson said. "She emerged because of her athleticism."

In addition to team practices, Robertson practices weekly with her younger brother, and in the summer, they hit the courts almost every day.

This season she's fought especially hard, her coach said.

"She's pushed herself beyond what we all thought she could do," Johnson said.

Robertson's doubles partner, Breanna Lewis, said her forehand is especially strong.

"Hardly anything gets past her," Lewis said.

And Robertson, who is the team captain, is positive and encouraging with her teammates.

"She has that will to keep fighting and that great attitude," Johnson said.

Her biggest challenger at the tournament will be McMichael High School's Brittany Manning, the coach said. "They play so similar. It's always down to the wire."

Beside tennis, Robertson plays golf and soccer.

"I love sports," she said.

She also stays busy with honors-level classes and working at J&G BBQ in Burlington.

"I'm doing something constantly," she said.

Robertson has never had a home court to play on at Eastern -- their "home" games are at the Olde Forest Racquet Club -- but future Eastern tennis players may.

Plans for the new school building include a tennis court, Johnson said. She hopes that will boost support of the sport with other students and the community.

Contact Jamie Kennedy Jones at jamie.kennedy@news-record.com or 449-4610.