By MIKE KEMMETER
of The Gazette
Ever since she was six or seven years old, Lauren Hom has played tennis.
And now as a sophomore at Stevens Point Area Senior High, not quite 10 years after starting her first lessons, Hom is the best player in the Wisconsin Valley Conference and is looking to take on the state.
Hom became the second SPASH player in as many years to win the No. 1 singles title in the Valley last Friday and has her sites set on the WIAA state tennis meet in Madison next Thursday.
"I call her an elite athlete because that's what she is. She dominated the conference," SPASH coach Nancy Schmidt said of Hom, who holds a 22-1 record.
But before she began causing headaches for Valley opponents, Hom watched her older brother, Michael, play. She followed Michael to his tennis lessons and saw him finish second in the state as a senior at SPASH before going to Gustavus Adolphus University (Minn.) on a tennis scholarship.
"I remember going to Michael's lessons and thinking how much fun it could be," Hom said. "I wondered if I could be as good as him and hit with him."
They spent many hours on the tennis court after being introduced to the sport by their mother, Siu-Lin. "She's the one that really got them into tennis," Lauren's father, Jim, said. "We just do it as a fun thing as a family."
In only her second year in varsity tennis, Hom isn't making games enjoyable for her opponents. Ask Schmidt what the strengths of Hom's game are and you see why.
"She has a good serve, she has excellent footwork. She follows the ball well. She's not afraid to come up to the net. She's a very aggressive player," Schmidt said.
"She goes out on the court and she's focused. And yet she's complimentary to the opposition. She's respected on the court and well liked by her opponents. That's a true compliment to her."
Early success isn't spoiling Hom. After winning the No. 1 singles title as a sophomore, she says, "It's exciting but it pushes me to see if I can go further the next year."
But before thinking about her junior season in the Valley, Hom has some more work to do. As the No. 1 seed, she had to win one match Thursday at the WIAA sectional in Neenah to advance to state.
The state meet experience won't be anything new for Hom. As a freshman, she teamed with Meagan Palmer at No. 1 doubles and the duo made it to Madison, advancing to the final 16.
"She went down to state when Michael played so obviously she knew the atmosphere," Schmidt said. "That's why I wanted them to get to state last year. I certainly think that will help her."
Hom knows what to expect. "Pressure. I just have to focus point by point. Court, ball, racket.
"The last match on the second day is the most important. That's when you find out if you're going to get on the podium or not."
If Hom gets to that medal stand this year, or in her junior or senior seasons, Schmidt knows where it all started.
"The credit really goes to her folks. Obviously, they've shaped her game," she said. "They're very family orientated. Tennis is not everything, it's a part of her life."