Mercedes Martin has been a leader and role mode on the Lake Region girls’ varsity tennis team since day one, according to Laker Head Coach Jenny Dunn.  

“She has not missed a practice and is always the first one there and the last one to leave,” Coach Dunn said. “Her dedication to get better every day has really shown in her matches. Mercedes has put so much work in this season and has fought hard in every match.”

Being the #1 singles player means you are always playing against the other team’s best player, and every match Mercedes not only gets better but puts up a fight, even taking a top player to three sets!

“Not only has she improved in tennis, but Mercedes has grown into a dependable captain for our team. She always gets the warm-ups started, always the first one to jump into the drills, and always has a smile on her face!” Coach Dunn added. “As a senior, she will be truly missed next year. I am so proud of her growth, attitude, commitment, and especially her improvement!”

In recognition of her strong work ethic, determination, commitment and good sportsmanship, Mercedes is this week’s Boosters and Hancock Lumber “Player of the Week.” Each week, a Lake Region athlete is recognized for his/her dedication (does more than what is asked), work ethic, coachability and academic good standing. Recipients receive a specially-designed t-shirt, sponsored by Hancock Lumber.

Name: Mercedes Martin

Year in School: Senior

Hometown: Casco

Parents: Tonya and Rob Martin

Sports you play: Tennis and cross-country

Q. Why did you choose to play tennis? My friend Molly Nichols convinced me to start playing with her on the courts as something fun to do in my eighth-grade year. Since then, I have always held an interest in tennis. Then, my dad started to play with me –– he is really good –– and when he told me that tennis is half mind games, I fell in love with the sport even more. 

Q. What do you enjoy most about tennis? It’s one thing to be good at the sport, but a completely different game when you enjoy it. I love the sport wholeheartedly and love when my opponent starts to hit wild corner shots and net shots. I admire the other players and always learn something new whenever I play. It truly is an amazing sport. 

Q. How has competing in sports changed you as a person? I think that competing in this sport has made me more confident in myself as a person. Playing on the singles team, you have to rely on your own skill, especially when calling lines. When I first officially started playing my freshman year, I was hesitant in calling a hit out, merely because I didn’t think my judgment was right. But after four years of playing the sport, my calls have become more confident, making me as a person more confident.

Q. During this period of Covid-19, what has been the most difficult adjustment? I would say definitely the masks; with them on, everyone looks more intimidating. Like my dad said to me, tennis is half mind games, and it gets into your head that they aren’t going to be nice. You start to psych yourself out. Then, you walk onto the court and they start up a conversation and smile, only to realize that you worried over nothing.

Q. What is one of your most memorable sports moments? My most memorable moment was this year. For context, I have never won a singular match in my high school career. I’m perfectly fine with losing, it makes me a better player. “You have to lose to learn how to win,” is something that my dad also told me many times. So, then when I finally won a match this year, I was overjoyed. My teammates were smiling when I walked off the court. I was smiling, and everyone was happy. Losing is a part of becoming a better player, and it is what made my first victory all the more memorable. 

Q. What is your most disappointing sports memory? It is frustrating when your opponent calls your shot “out,” especially when it was in. It is something not just myself, but my teammates as well, encountered this year. 

Q. How has sports prepared you for your future? Drawing back to the confidence piece, this sport has taught me that I can be confident in my choices as a person and rely on myself more than I think. Tennis, don’t get me wrong, is a team sport, but I love the independence that it brings out. Covering a whole court by yourself is no easy feat, and has taught me that I can do things that I never thought possible. 

Q. Name a coach who has made a difference in your life? Mrs. Dunn, our coach from this year. She is new to coaching and taught me so much. She dubbed me captain and I could not be more honored with the position. She believed in me, told me to keep up the amazing work even when I was down by more than a point. Mrs. Dunn truly has brought out the best in our team, I believe. And I can’t wait to see what she brings to next year’s season even if I won’t be a part of it. 

Q. What are your future goals? Right now, I am committed to the University of Maine at Fort Kent for the nursing program. With my previous experience in the medical field through the vocational school, I believe that it will be a smooth transition. In the future, hopefully during the fall of 2021 or early 2022, I am going to publish my debut novel “WHEN MOUNTAINS WAKE,” and continue to write the rest of the trilogy throughout my college career. I hope to continue playing tennis. Though UMFK doesn’t have a tennis team, I already have some interest from the athletics department up there to start a club. I am excited for what the future is going to bring, and can’t wait to start this new segment of my life.