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06/04/2020 12:00 AMClaire Looney dedicated herself to tennis, and that effort helped her become an integral part of the North Haven girls’ tennis team. After turning in a successful junior season playing No. 3 doubles, Claire was ready to move up and form one half of the Indians’ No. 1 doubles duo alongside fellow senior captain Kara Stevens this spring. Unfortunately, with the cancellation of the season due to COVID-19, Claire missed out on her chance to lead North Haven on the court.
Claire constantly works on her game at North Haven Health & Racquet Club throughout the year. Claire’s commitment has paid dividends, and it was a dream come true for the senior captain to work her way all the way up North Haven’s doubles ladder.
“I play pretty much year-round. I was preparing myself at the Health and Racquet. I was looking forward to this year, because I have a lot of friends on the team,” says Claire. “Being with the team itself was what I was most looking forward to. The No. 1 doubles spot was something that I was vying for since 8th grade.”
Claire was named one of North Haven’s captains at the conclusion of the 2019 season. Claire had learned a lot from some solid role models who preceded her the past few years. She was eager to set that same type of example for the team’s younger athletes this year.
“I was hoping that I would be a captain, and I looked up to the captains before me. I wasn’t expecting it, but I was relieved to hear it officially,” Claire says. “I think it’s beyond just being a good tennis player or model athlete. It’s about unifying the team. There are girls interested in different things. It’s the captains’ job to get everyone unified, and it’s the captains’ job to make everyone feel included.”
Claire has experienced her fair share of successes and challenges during her career. One of things that means the most to Claire is an award she received in recognition of both her athletic prowess and academic skills. Claire will also always remember a meaningful match that she played with former doubles partner Yasmin Mohamed last season.
“This past year, I got the SCC Spring Scholar Athlete Award. That was probably the achievement that sticks out the most to me,” says Claire. “There was a match last year where we lost our first set, and it wasn’t looking good for us, but we came back for a third set. That was my first third set ever, and we had the whole team watching us. Even though we didn’t win, that feeling of coming back from an almost certain loss was a special moment.”
Claire knows that she has to coordinate effectively with her partner in order for them to be successful. Athletic talent is important, but the need for communication presents an extra challenge that Claire has always appreciated as a doubles player.
“Last year, Yasmin and I built a strong foundation of communication. We could play differently in any match. I’m strongest on my backhand, so I would aim it at my opponent’s weaker side. Last year, Yasmin was up on the net, and I played more in the back, because I’m a harder hitter from the baseline,” says Claire, who also competed for the foil team in North Haven’s fencing program. “I think Kara and I would have done well together, because we are both aggressive. I think that’s important at No. 1 doubles, instead of playing off other people’s mistakes.”
With that strong backhand, Claire tends to be most effective near the baseline. Playing in the back also gives her an extra second to anticipate the best route to return a volley.
“I’ve always used lighter racquets, which I think helps me generate a little more power. I think I do a good job covering my partner in the back. I try to build that communication beforehand, so I can read where they’re headed,” Claire says. “I do a good job determining where the ball is going to go before it gets there. I can shift to where I know the ball is headed and, that way, I don’t have to sprint all over the court to get there.”
Head Coach Bob Migliorini believes that Claire would have been a tremendous asset at the top of the Indians’ doubles ladder while teaming with Stevens. Migliorini also considers Claire a great leader and has seen her demonstrate those skills through her work as a volunteer.
“Each year, Claire continues to improve with her tennis ability. She’s become more of a leader over that time, as well. She’s a super person, well-respected, and liked by the team. She’s very intelligent and a great kid,” says Migliorini. “We help run a program called ACEing Autism. We rely on volunteers to help and teach the kids, and Claire has been one of the best volunteers we’ve had. She’s contributed a lot of hours to the program, and she can lead a court by herself. She’s just a super individual.”
Claire is also involved in the Future Problem Solvers program at North Haven High School. Her team earned a first-place finish in a competition earlier this year and will be taking part in a virtual international competition in June.
As for further in the future, Claire is going to attend Barnard College of Columbia University in New York City, where she will major in chemistry with an eye toward pre-med. A lot is up in the air because of COVID-19, but Claire has been planning to live in the city for quite some time. While she won’t be playing tennis at Barnard, Claire knows that the sport will always be a part of her life.
“I’m excited to be living in the city, but it’s going to be an adjustment. I know a couple of people who are going to be at Columbia, too,” Claire says. “The nice part about it is that it isn’t in the heart of the city. It’s in Morningside Heights. You can stay in your own little bubble there or go on a subway and get right to Times Square if you want. I’m not going to play on the college team, but I am going to see if I can play club tennis when, or if, I get there.”