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05/16/2019 12:00 AMNate Comment enjoyed playing tennis from the second he stepped on the court in middle school. Nate’s passion for the sport has helped him make a rapid rise toward the top of the Shoreline Conference singles circuit.
Nate is a senior captain who plays No. 1 singles for the Westbrook boys’ tennis team. Nate started out by posting a record of 16-3 as the Knights’ No. 5 singles player in his freshman year. As a sophomore, he moved to No. 3 singles midway through the campaign and finished with a mark of 17-0 that included a first-place performance in the Shoreline Conference’s 3-4-5 Singles Tournament.
Last year, Nate earned his promotion to Westbrook’s No. 1 singles position, where he went 16-4, while advancing to the final of the Shoreline’s 1-2 singles draw. This season, Nate has a record of 12-4 for the Knights, who are also 12-4.
“I’ve always been competitive and wanted to move up the ranks on our team. Going from No. 5 to No. 3 my sophomore year, I wanted to handle that challenge,” says Nate. “Tennis is different from the other sports, because you decide your own fate in a match. With the mental aspect, you might be playing yourself more than the guy you are facing. There is no clock in the sport, so you can be out there all day if you want it that bad.”
Nate’s run to the Shoreline Conference crown as a sophomore proved a defining moment in his high school career. Nate was facing an unfamiliar foe, but he dug deep and willed his way to the win.
“That title was definitely the culmination of all my efforts. I had never played against the guy before,” Nate says. “In the first set, it was a close one, but I pulled it out. Then for the second set, he stopped going for better shots, and I got on a roll. Winning the title felt amazing for me.”
Nate felt some nerves when he was bumped up to No. 1 singles last year. However, Nate had gained confidence from what he’d achieved in previous seasons and used that to his advantage while competing against the Shoreline Conference’s top players.
“I was nervous at first, but I used that drive that won me matches in the past. I never thought I was out of my league. I tried to still fight for every point and won matches versus better players,” says Nate, who will attend Bryant University in Rhode Island. “When you play against better guys, it forces you to up your game. I also think my match experience has helped me win those matches.”
Head Coach Dan Shapiro feels proud of Nate for all the success that he’s seen at Westbrook. Shapiro adds that Nate’s contributions to the Knights go beyond what takes place between the baselines.
“Nate’s game has improved each year, and he is clearly one of the best players in the conference. Nate works hard at his game and, when he gets in that special zone, he’s tough to beat,” Shapiro says. “Nate is a smart, kind, and well-rounded person who loves his teammates and friends. He’s been the cornerstone of this team for years. As a coach, you hope you get as many players like Nate as possible on your team.”
Nate would love to win another Shoreline solo title before he graduates from high school. Still, the main thing on Nate’s radar is helping Westbrook climb toward its ultimate goal of claiming a Class S state championship.
“I’m hoping to be seeded in the Shoreline Conference Tournament. I know a couple of guys that will be tough, but I will be ready,” says Nate. “Our team has been excellent this year, and it’s been fun for me to help guys that are new to the sport not doubt themselves. I will see how far I can go in states to help my team win.”