Makenna DeTorres – CHC Athlete of the Week – September 16, 2019
After finishing the 2018 Fall Athletic season with a 6-8 overall record a bid to the Division II State Tournament, Varsity Girls’ Tennis kicked off the 2019 season with seven of twelve athletes returning to the courts. Among the seven returning athletes, this week’s Athlete of the Week, senior Makenna DeTorres, continues to put the team first despite carrying added responsibility this season.
“Despite losing the first set, Makenna came back strong in her second set to win and forced a deciding 10 point tiebreak.” Head Coach Diane Deaton said of DeTorres. “With all eyes on her and pressure she was unaware of, she took control early and easily finished off her opponent.”
Always the humble leader, Makenna quickly deferred credit to the rest of the team. While it takes five wins for a team to win the contest, DeTorres’ win came at a most opportune moment. The Dolphins were tied, 4-4, with Makenna trailing one set. DeTorres bore down to take the final two sets in a come-from-behind victory to clinch the 5-4 Dolphin win over Nansemond Suffolk.
“After coaching her for six years, I can safely say that she will not enjoy all this attention. She will tell you that the tennis team win was a group effort and everyone contributed equally,” Coach Jaq West noted of DeTorres. “She will say her win was just one of five. Makenna is truly a team player as she always puts her team first, and never looks for any individual accolades.”
Through this point in the year, DeTorres boasts a 2-2 record in singles play. Much of her early-season success can be credited to the work she put in throughout the offseason and the confidence she gained on the number five singles court last season. With her added responsibilities on the number four singles court in 2019, Makenna has shown no signs of slowing down.
“Makenna has come far in her tennis career, as we have watched her progress through middle school, JV, and finally, varsity last year. She made an immediate impact on varsity, competing in the top six singles spots. She moved up this year to the #4 singles player where the competition is even tougher,” Coach Deaton added of DeTorres.
While it is clear to see her improvements through her play, mentally, Makenna very well may not know how much she has grown in one year.
“The difference this year is in the confidence she brings to the court, which I’m not even sure she is aware of,” Coach Jaq West continued. “Despite the added confidence, Makenna remains the same type of player. She is quiet, respectful to opponents, and goes out there and gets the job done. There is nothing fancy or flashy about her game; just solid tennis.”
