She straps on her visor, takes a huge swig of water, and grabs her racket. Ready for another day of practice.

Lauren Milburn has been playing tennis since she was 12 years old. Now she’s 16, a sophomore at MHS.

It had started off as just another hobby to pick up. But it quickly grew into something more than that. Milburn has been on varsity ever since freshman tryouts.

“I am very glad that I started playing because I have found a sport that I love, made long lasting friendships and found a great way to get involved at Marquette,” she said.

At practice, the girls rally, play games and do drills. The blazing sun beats down on them.

After practice, everyone rushes off the courts to pack up and head out. In less than 5 minutes, the courts are empty. Everyone is gone.

Except for Milburn.

She stays practicing her serves. Imagining a game. Calling out the score. Tossing the ball into the air and bending her knees. And boom! The ball lands in the box with plenty of speed and spin.

“I really enjoy the thrill of being in a match,” Milburn said.

She plays tennis for fun. It’s her hobby. Her passion.

She plays at least 3 to 4 times a week. Whether it’s at the club or just with friends, Milburn is always working on improving her skills.

“I play tennis because it is a great exercise and it is a great activity that I will be able to do with friends and family my whole life,” Milburn said.

And she doesn’t plan to stop. From improving her game to playing for college, Milburn has set several goals for herself.

“To aspiring tennis players, I would say work hard and commit as much time as possible if tennis is really something that you love,” she said.