This is a printer-friendly version of an article from Zip06.com.
06/22/2017 12:00 AMWhen he was 12 years old, Jeff Eng made the full-time move from the swimming pool to the tennis court, and the change of venue has worked out quite nicely for both him and the Indians. Jeff recently capped off his high school career by putting together an impressive campaign with the Guilford boys’ tennis team.
Jeff started swimming at age eight, picked up tennis two years later, and then started solely focusing on the court after he turned 12. As the Indians’ No. 1 singles player this year, Jeff, a senior captain, netted a record of 11-7 on his way to All-SCC Division I honors and his team’s Most Valuable Player Award. Along the way, Jeff helped Guilford have a great year as a team behind an overall mark of 17-5.
“Tennis is like a boxing match. It’s you, your opponent, and whatever the conditions are on the court. You have to fight through every match, and that rigor compelled me to play,” says Jeff, who was a freshman on the Indians’ 2014 Class M state championship squad. “I learned a lot from my teammates in my prior years on the team. They took me under their wing, and I attribute my success to them. I picked up on their expertise, and it led to a lot of my success.”
Jeff has seen a gamut of strategies as a result of competing against different players from all around the state. These experiences have helped Jeff develop his own successful game-plan in a thinking man’s sport.
“There are a wide variety of players and game styles out there. Playing against different kids helps to enhance your own game and give it flexibility,” Jeff says. “Every coach will say that footwork is key and that you beat them with your legs—not your racquet. There is also a mental aspect to the game, too, that determines who will come out on top.”
Around this time last year, Jeff was given the ultimate vote of confidence from his coach and teammates when he was named a captain for his senior season. Jeff’s promotion to a leadership role set the stage for him to guide the Indians to great heights and establish themselves as title contenders for years to come.
“Last year, at our team banquet, I was named captain. It was an awe-inspiring moment,” Jeff says. “To have the team keep faith in me in leading them, it was so incredible for me. I feel the same faith about our team. They were a great group of guys, and they helped make the rest of Class L aware of them for the next few years.”
Indians’ Head Coach Rob Messer says that Jeff did whatever it took to help make his teammates better, while displaying great passion for tennis. These are two of the key reasons why Messer presented Jeff with his team’s Coach’s Award this year.
“Jeffrey is the definition of a great leader. He makes everyone else around him better. Losing to his teammates frequently in practice sets wasn’t uncommon throughout the season—not for a lack of effort or ability, but because he literally brings out the best of his opponents, and naturally encourages the same out of his teammates. Additionally, he would give his teammates advice on the changeovers of what he notices in their game,” says Messer. “He loves tennis and is a student of the game. He passes along all of his knowledge to fellow players and often would come to practice early or stay late to give his beginner players private lessons. We’re certainly going to miss his leadership, competitive spirit, and his fight on the court.”
Reflecting upon his tenure at Guilford, Jeff feels thankful that tennis provided an entertaining escape from the pressures if everyday life, as well as an avenue for him to form many great friendships.
“As an athlete, playing tennis for Guilford was a great way to take my mind off of the stresses of life and school,” says Jeff, who thanks all of his past and present coaches, his entire family, and the Guilford Racquet & Swim Club. “My studies are important, but they can be challenging at times. The court, for whatever reason, gave me a sense of relaxation. It was what I needed during my four years at Guilford High School.”