Junior Sylvie Van Cott has played tennis for the past eight years and has consistently ranked high in competitions and matches.

Van Cott has been playing tennis since she was eight years old and is number one seed –– the highest rank –– for Oak Park girls’ tennis singles. She said she hopes to continue playing this sport and further her tennis career.

“I’ve been playing almost every single day since I was eight and I was home schooled from sixth to eighth [grade] just for my tennis career and that was a big step in my life,” Van Cott said. “I… eat, sleep and breath tennis. I would like to play for college and if not, after college I would like to play on the Pro Tennis Tour –– [the] Women’s Tennis Association.”

Van Cott’s family also competes in the sport.

“My dad taught me all the way up until last year and then he moved to Arizona and I practice with my sister [Ruby] too,” Van Cott said.

This season, Van Cott matched her personal record that she earned her freshman year, second place in league, and said she hopes to continue to build herself as a player and make it to the championship match of the league tournament again next year.

“I like [seeing myself succeed] just because I’ve been working so hard throughout my life, and I always thought I was the worst player,” Van Cott said. “When I went to play [tennis] for Calabasas I… was the worst one there, so I always thought I wasn’t as good. Being [number one seed at Oak Park] just reminds me that I am good and I can do stuff with my tennis.”

Van Cott is a fun person to be around and a benefit to the Oak Park girls tennis program’s atmosphere, according to tennis head coach Carl Joyce.

“Sylvie always sings while we play against her and it’s distracting but it makes it a lot more fun,” sophomore Lauren Kessler said. “She’s always singing and she doesn’t even realize it and it makes the matches funny.”

Singing is not the only habit of Van Cott’s when playing a match.

“When I’m playing, I name the tennis balls,” Van Cott said. “So, if there’s one that I [used and] missed a point, I’ll name it ‘Bad’ and throw it to the side and not use it. I’m not really superstitious, but if I missed a shot with it, I’ll try not to use it.”

According to Joyce, Van Cott brings an aggressive skill set to the court that can assist her in getting into a quality school to further her tennis career.

“I hope Sylvie gets to play Division I or Division II college tennis and hopefully get some of her school paid for in the process,” Joyce wrote. “She will be a great addition to any team and I’m just glad we have her one more year.”