SARATOGA SPRINGS/DUDLEY, MA — Former Saratoga Springs High School tennis player Rachel McDonald is in her final season of playing collegiate tennis and was recently named the Commonwealth Coast Conference’s (CCC) Player of the Week.
Interestingly enough, McDonald didn’t quite enjoy playing tennis at first, but once she began taking a few lessons and got to really learn and understand the game, it became her favorite sport to play.
“I think what I really like about it is that for the most part, especially in singles, it’s really you out there. You have to rely on yourself, and I think that translates really well into other aspects of life because in life you have to rely on yourself sometimes,” said McDonald.
When McDonald was in the seventh grade at SSHS she started playing on their Junior Varsity tennis team. As she progressed through playing in high school and the time came to start looking at colleges, McDonald found a college that not only had her desired majors of Human Resource and Finance, but an opportunity to extend her athletic career.
Playing collegiate tennis wasn’t always easy for McDonald as she battles chronic migraines and struggled to find her place at the collegiate level in the beginning. But after hard work on the court and a conscious effort to stay healthy, McDonald is appreciative that her years of dedication have been recognized as she was named Player of the Week.
“This year I was able to stay more healthy and really find the positions that work for me. So that’s just a really great feeling, especially being in my last year,” said McDonald. “It’s a really great feeling being noticed for all your hard work over the four years.”
From battling an illness to battling it out on the court, McDonald had a strong support system based at home in Saratoga Springs.
“They really never miss a match and we live three hours away (my mom and dad). And Rich Johns who’s always supported me from the very beginning. He’s been an amazing guy in my life, a great inspiration, a great role model.”
As her final season of tennis at Nichols College ends, McDonald is appreciative of her team and the high spirit and supportive energy they always bring to a match. And while McDonald is not quite sure what the next phase of her life brings, she does know that she’ll find a way to keep on swinging a racket.
