Coupeville Sports

Sydney Autio (right) and doubles partner McKenzie Bailey.

It’s been awhile.

When Sydney Autio picked up a racket and hit the court for the start of the girls’ tennis season last week, it had been a bit since she had found herself in that position.

“I have played for fun with my mom a couple of times when I was like seven, but I had no idea what I was doing,” Autio said. “So, yeah, my first year playing and knowing what and how to play.”

One of 19 first-timers (out of 28 girls) on the Coupeville High School roster, Autio, a freshman, is exactly the type of player Wolf coach Ken Stange looks for, however.

A strong teacher on the court, he delights in drawing out players who, while they may not have their skills already fine-tuned, are full of energy and own a genuine excitement in learning the sport. That’s Autio.

“I enjoy a lot about tennis! It’s a team sport, which I love, because it’s important to have a team member to be able to count on when you need them,” Autio said. “I enjoy the fact that if I’m having a bad day, playing tennis relieves some stress. I really just love it. It’s really fun and I enjoy it!”

After seeing the sport in Olympics coverage (“I always thought it looked fun!”) and hearing Stange talk about it in English class, she couldn’t resist. Even if it meant playing two sports at the same time.

A volleyball player who starred for the Wolf JV squad earlier this year, she plays with a club team on the weekends.

“Volleyball is really fun! I can’t honestly say I have a favorite,” Autio said. “Tennis has grown on me, so they are pretty much tied for first right now!”

While her skills as a spiker are ahead of her net skills, her tennis game is coming along quickly.

“I think I have a pretty good serve and forehand so far,” Autio said. “It can always use improvement, but so far those are my best!

“I do need to for sure work on my back hand … it’s not constant,” she added. “I can get a good back hand every once in a while, but it’s not something I can count on, which I need to!”

A self-proclaimed “big math geek” who loves English class, reading, the Harry Potter film series and down time (“I do spend most of my time sleeping, though. That’s my favorite.”), Autio has a large support base made up of family and friends.

“My parents and closest friends are the reason I am who I am today!,” Autio said. “My parents have always supported me and helped me through anything with love and care.

“My friends, on the other hand, have a different way of doing that,” she added. “They are loving and caring but they also let me know when I’m doing something wrong. I have learned to listen to them…”

Regardless of the sport, Autio likes to get her blood pumping before a game by listening to upbeat music. Then she can rise to the moment.

“My goals are to better my play and be the best I can be!,” she said. “I want to walk out of the season knowing I achieved something for my team and for myself.

“I’d also really like to get a letter!”