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06/11/2014 12:00 AMShe had more ground to cover by herself this spring, yet Callie Burns kept her legs churning and the victories coming in an unblemished regular season for herself and Westbrook tennis.
The junior spent the previous two regular season campaigns at No. 1 doubles with fellow junior Lydia Murphy, going 18-0 and reaching the semifinals of the Shoreline Conference Tournament, plus earning State Open bids each year. Callie was then asked to switch to No. 3 singles to strengthen her squad this spring and it was nothing but the best for her and the Knights with both Callie and the squad going a perfect 18-0 for the regular season.
"Switching this year was really big, because singles is a totally different game," says Callie, a First Team All-Shoreline selection. "It was a huge transition, and I had to learn how to play the position. I worked on new strategies, shots, and angles. But my entire team has been great helping with the switch, and it became easier as the season went on."
Callie, who also made the finals of the No. 3/4 singles Shoreline Conference Tournament, adds that the Knights shuffled their deck a lot this time around, but that it was just fine with her.
"Lydia and I had a great run, but after last year, we needed a strong singles player, so [Head Coach Paula] Fitzgerald asked me to do it because we needed that strong singles player," says Callie, whose team won the regular season Shoreline title. "The switches made the team better, because we all got switched and did it to make it work."
She's been strategic with her shot placement, although her mentality toward success is the furthest thing from complex for Callie, who has picked up the little nuances of her new solo world.
"Physically, the key for me has been more angled shots, but mentally to just take it one point at a time. You can't think ahead because something may not happen, and then you'll get down on yourself," says Callie. "There's definitely a lot more running in singles, and you don't have too many people talking to you. You have to think and process things quickly. You just have to make sure you get every ball hit to you."
Coach Fitzgerald praises Callie for her dual ability to not only up her game, but also be just as concerned with how the other Knights are faring.
"She started out with Lydia and had two great seasons," says Fitzgerald. "She is an enthusiastic player who cares a lot about improving her game and how the team as a whole is doing."
With such a success-filled stint as an underclass athlete, Callie features the main weapon that can help most student-athletes overcome any opponent-a wave of confidence.
"Our team has been great both now and the last two years; we've been strong and strategic. Our coach and captains give us the right mindset going into matches," says Callie, who thanks her parents and sister, along with her coaches, and the entire team. "We have people always asking for advice, and we have a strong bond together."
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