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05/17/2018 12:00 AMMichael Hooker has seen great growth with both his physical abilities and his mental game throughout his tenure with the Guilford boys’ tennis team. Now in his final year on the high-school court, Michael is showcasing everything he’s learned and is having a stellar senior season as a leader for the Indians.
Michael, a senior captain, first picked up a racquet thanks to the influence of his grandfather Creighton. In his fourth year at Guilford, Michael has been mostly teaming up with fellow captain Sam Inchalik as the Indians’ No. 1 doubles team. The tandem has won all nine matches that they’ve played together, and Michael also has a combined singles and doubles record of 16-1 for Guilford.
“Sam and I have been friends since our freshman year, and we’ve grown even closer through the years,” says Michael. “We’ve been playing well together, because we’ve played together in the past, and because both of us have grown over the last few years.”
Things like unforced errors or bad bounces used to bother Michael when he first started playing tennis. However, Michael has become a stronger player from a mental perspective, while also developing a diverse skill set that helps him defeat his opponents.
“In the past, I would get upset after a mistake, but I’ve done a better job now of keeping myself more in the game mentally,” says Michael. “Physically, I’ve gained more confidence in my ability to hit the ball.”
Still, Michael likes how life on the doubles circuit is a little less stressful than playing singles. If there’s ever a situation where things aren’t going their way, Michael takes the opportunity to lend some encouragement to his cohort on the court.
“In doubles, I like having the ability to pick a partner up when they are down,” says Michael. “I also like not having all the pressure on me at all times. I really enjoy the team chemistry aspect of playing doubles.”
Michael dreamed about being a captain from the moment he stepped between the baselines at Guilford. Now that he’s in that position, Michael embraces the responsibility of working with the Indians’ up-and-coming tennis players.
“I was always hoping to be a senior captain, and when I learned I was going to be at last year’s team banquet, I felt good about it and myself,” Michael says. “We have had a lot of new freshmen come out to the team this year, and I enjoy teaching them. I enjoy the role model aspect of being a captain. It’s a good feeling.”
Head Coach Rob Messer says that Michael does whatever it takes to help the Indians strive toward their highest goals. He adds that his senior captain is someone you want on the court to get the clinching point in a nail-biting contest.
“Michael is a great role model on and off the court for the boys. He has the utmost respect for all of his teammates, coaches, and all of the opponents he comes across,” Messer says. “He is more than willing to play any position in our lineup, because he understands that every slot in the lineup is just as important as another. No. 1 singles and No. 3 doubles are worth the same amount of points and equally as important. He has really matured both on and off the court. I’m very confident in having Michael and Sam out there in a close match with the match resting on their shoulders.”
Nothing would delight Michael more than to finish his high-school career with SCC and Class L state titles in hand. However, no matter how this season turns out, Michael looks forward to continue taking the court alongside people who have become his friends for life.
“The whole team wants to win SCCs and states. It’s been my goal since I started high school,” says Michael, who thanks Coach Messer, assistant coach Paul Malafronte; his parents, Kelly and Steven, and his grandfather. “I enjoy the relationships I’ve made with teammates. I will always hear teammates cheering each other on. We believe we are a family here. Before every match our cheer will be, ‘1-2-3, family!”