Sarah Crawford has stellar freshman season on tennis court at Clearview HS
MULLICA HILL, N.J. — She may be a high school freshman, but Sarah Crawford’s stellar first year on the Clearview High School Varsity Girls Tennis team has been anything but ‘beginner’s luck.’
Tennis is definately in Sarah Crawford’s blood. She comes from a family of avid, talented tennis players which began with her grandmother and continued with Sarah’s own mother and two of her aunts. As the third generation, 14 year old Sarah and her 12 year old brother, Andrew, demonstrate the same passion, talent, and commitment to the sport. Tennis truly is a family affair!
Sarah began tennis lessons at the age of 5. Lessons and clinics progressed from once a week, to multiple times a week, then to local competitions. “The first competitive experience I had was a few years ago. I played Junior Team Tennis at a couple of clubs. It was fun — I found out that I really liked playing matches against other players!” she says.
As an eighth grader, Sarah decided to gain more competition experience. In the Fall of 2020, she was able to do a couple of tournaments before COVID shut things down. As a 13 year old, she was a finalist in both a 16s and a 14s tournament. By June of 2021, Sarah won her first tournament, which was a 14s.
The summer before her freshman year of high school, Sarah spent time in the Poconos playing matches on clay and hard courts. “I played a variety of tennis – singles, girls doubles, mixed doubles with my brother, and even a parent-child tournament with my mom.” In August 2021, she tried out for the Clearview High School Girls Tennis Team.
“I did not know what to expect. After challenge matches, I felt very excited and honored to earn the second singles position on the team,” she says. “Being a freshman, I felt a little nervous, though, because I was new… but everyone was really welcoming, and I’ve learned a lot from all of the team members.”
As a singles player, Sarah joined senior stand out Carlee Cristella (first singles) and junior Emily Miscioscia (third singles). “It’s especially nice to play alongside both Carlee and Emily. They make it a calmer atmosphere during the practices and matches.”
Highlights from her rookie season include placing 3rd for singles in the Gloucester County Girls Tennis Tournament and helping Clearview achieve their second consecutive team tournament win! Sarah was also very excited to make it to the NJ State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) singles tournament. “Even though I lost my match, it was exciting to be able to participate in States. I learned a lot from my match and from watching other amazing tennis players there.”
Sarah deeply appreciates the support from her teammates, coaches, and family. Her brother is one of her biggest fans, and a built-in mixed doubles partner for life. “[We] joke that my brother is the ‘team mascot’ because he is always at the matches,” she says.
Sarah looks forward to growing as a player during her time at Clearview. “My overall tennis goal is to just be the best tennis player I can be,” she says. “I hope to meet a variety of players, to always give full effort, to learn from my matches, and to be as good a friend to my team as the other girls have been to me this year.”
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