24 SportsUnion | APRIL 2019
college
Tennis
Success doesn’t come easy. It comes with a lot of hard work
and determination. There is a lot of things that go into being a
successful college athlete. The practice and preparation is the
biggest key.
By Matt Ondesko Managing Editor
To have a successful career
it means working harder
than everyone else. Means
working on your game when
no one else is watching. Suc-
cessful student-athletes do
whatever it takes.
For Daemen College wom-
en’s tennis player Jessica
Robins success has been a
long time coming. The se-
nior had a stellar career in
high school and continued
her success in college. She
has been a steady force for
the past four years while
leading a young Daemen
College tennis program.
While the Wildcats have
struggled this season, there
has been one constant and
that’s Robins. Her play on
the court has given hope that
this young Division II pro-
gram can turn it around and
start competing for titles.
“We have a very small,
young team this season, so
my goal was mainly to en-
courage them to look at the
long term and to understand
that they have so much time
to improve, time I wish I
still had,” stated Robins. “In
three years, these girls could
be levels better than they are
now, and that’s something to
keep in mind. Also, we now
have Coach Kerry, who is an
incredible resource.”
You can say Robins and
Daemen have both gone un-
der a change for the good.
Robins was always a solid
player in high school, but her
game improved even more
in college. The program it-
self is undergoing a change
as long-time Division I coach
Kerry McDermott has taken
over the program.
The addition of McDer-
mott has helped invigorate
the program and the players.
“Kerry McDermott is not
only an incredible coach,
but a great person. He has so
much experience and knowl-
Hard saying
goodBye
edge, and he has helped
my game in many ways. In
just a few short months I’ve
seen numerous improve-
ments, not only in myself,
but the whole team,” stated
Robins. “I’ve been compet-
ing at a higher level than I
ever have before. Coach Ker-
ry has helped me develop a
lot more confidence in my
game, which is so important
for any player. Not only do I
want to succeed for my team
and myself, but for Coach
Kerry. I feel very grateful to
him for all he’s taught me
in the short time I’ve known
him.”
Unfortunally, for Robins
this is the only year she will
have McDermott has he
roach. After four years of be-
ing a leader for the Wildcats
Robins time is coming to an
end. It is a bitter sweet end-
ing for the senior.
She has experienced so
much during her tennis ca-
reer and doesn’t want it to
end. Robins also know’s it’s
time to start the second half
of he life.
“The fact that this is my
senior year has definitely
weighed on my mind. It’s
hard to keep those emotions
suppressed because I can feel
the clock ticking. As hard as