By Cooper Chadwick
Being the number one at your school since freshman year is impressive in itself but is the least of Senior Elise RIchardson’s accomplishments throughout her high school career.
Richardson, a senior at Augusta High school has an impressive rap sheet from just last year. She finished fifth at state with an impressive record of 22-8 and she was league runner-up and regional runner up.
Though Richardson had an impressive year last year, she is looking to improve specific parts of her game to meet her goals of finding top three at each tournament and finishing in the top eight again at state.
“I am wanting to improve my shot placement this season. I am also wanting to improve more on my strategies,” Richardson said. “My coach and my dad have set up certain drills for me to practice on those items.”
In the offseason Richardson usually plays in USTA tournaments and USTA junior team tennis, where her dad helps coach her.
Richardson is very excited for this season but most especially her return to state and Augusta’s home tournament, her two favorites and the ones she hopes she does the best at.
Richardson also earns high praise from her August coach Nathan Stevens about her gifts on and off the court.
“Elise is a sweet kid, always willing to help teammates get better, and absolutely grinds it out on the court. She keeps the ball in play longer than almost anyone I’ve coached (had a 3-hour match with another ‘backboard’ player), but isn’t afraid to close the net when the opportunity presents itself,” Stevens said.
