As a freshman, Shelby Henderson has led the women’s tennis team as the top singles and doubles player.

“She was a strong player coming in,” coach Terry Peck said.

Winning isn’t rare for Henderson. She posted a fifth-place finish at state in high school her senior year.

Senior Mary Allen, Henderson’s doubles partner, said Henderson is a great asset to the team.

“She’s really consistent,” Allen said. “She knows how to put the ball away. She has a really good serve. I think she has a lot going for her.”

It’s not all about personal success. Peck said Henderson’s role as a teammate is just as important.

“Tennis is a sport where it is an individual sport and a team sport,” Peck said.

Allen said Henderson brings her “A” game to the court when the pair plays.

“Shelby is fun to play with because she likes to be at the baseline, and I like to be at the net,” Allen said. “She just sits back there and gets every ball back. She’s like a human backboard.”

As a mathematics major and business marketing minor, Henderson still manages to dominate on the court and in the classroom.

“I have my classes during the day, but tennis is at night. I’ll have a lot of time during the day so I use my time very productively,” Henderson said. “I’ll do my homework in the afternoon, and then I’ll come ready for tennis. To be honest, I go to bed late.”

Peck said he sees a promising collegiate career in Henderson’s future.

“I would hope she would be All-American and be nationally ranked,” Peck said. “I’d like to see that happen before her senior year.”

Henderson’s goals for success are propelled by determination.

“Just to never give up and to have confidence in your strokes and just know that you can get to every ball if you try,” Henderson said. “You can, you just have to believe in yourself.”

Sean Crotty and Stephanie Dodd contributed to this report.

Anastasia Straley can be reached at stra0669@stthomas.edu.