Ana Luvera (John Fisken photo)
Two sisters, two sports, twice the success.
For the past four years, Ana Luvera, along with twin sister Ivy, has been a fixture on the Coupeville High School girls’ soccer and tennis squads.
With their quiet smiles and never-say-die attitudes, the duo have been a success. And while they enjoy both sports, soccer calls to Ana’s heart.
“Soccer I would have to say is my favorite,” Luvera said. “I just love that the game has no restrictions when it comes to plays or formations. You can make your own moves and work with your teammates as well.
“I’ve enjoyed every aspect of it, that it’s a contact sport, you can play a variety of positions, learn from the teams you play, and try something different every time when I’m on the field.”
As she heads towards graduation — Ana plans to attend Western Washington University and play club sports while there — tennis occupies a considerable chunk of her time.
Luvera first picked up a racket as a freshman as a way to stay in shape and have fun during the break from soccer.
“I thought it would be a great and fun way to stay active,” she said. “I enjoy testing out and challenging myself to use the many strategies and the different swings or hits tennis involves, and of course the teammate environment and the relaxed and supportive relationships that are formed.”
A lot of her skills on the soccer pitch translate to the tennis court, as well.
“I think my strengths are in my athletic abilities, such as strength, speed, and stamina,” Luvera said. “I also feel I understand the game and strategy that’s involved and can make pretty solid long shots and angle shots.
“I feel I need to work on my back hands and serves.”
With the Wolves sitting at 2-0 atop the Olympic League standings, Luvera is interested in continuing to fine-tune her game.
“My goals for the season are to play to my full potential and just have fun playing the game,” she said. “I have a bad habit of getting nervous and psyching myself out before matches and I don’t even know why, but I plan to work on that and just be more confident in my abilities.”
Away from the sports grind, Luvera enjoys art, traveling, photography, music and spending time with friends and family, often doing things with them outdoors.
She enjoys movies (“I don’t have a particular favorite; I’ve seen too many!”), picks contemporary issues and English as her favorite classes and leans towards alternative music.
Regardless of what she’s doing, Luvera knows she has a large support base to draw on. From her sister and parents to friends and faculty, they all offer something for her to use.
“Several individuals have made a huge impact on bringing me to where I am as a person today,” Luvera said. “Some are my teachers such as Mrs. Waller, Mr. Grenz, Ms. Ballard, and pretty much the rest of my educational mentors have supported me and taught me what I needed to be prepared for my future.
“My parents have also played a huge part,” she added. “Being there to drive me to all my sporting events and supporting me through my struggles and triumphs with not only sports, but throughout school, and personal moments as well.
“My closest friends, Christine Fields and Katie Williams, who have played on my soccer team for as long as I have, along with my closest cousin, have all been there for me no matter what for as long as I can remember and we have all helped each other grow.”
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