High School HOT SHOT
By Lauren Dante
Ansley Boarman: “Serving” It Up
Photo courtesy of Jamie Marie Kubelka.
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senior at Clements High School, Ansley Boarman is all “set” for college. She has a scholarship, the grades, the goals and the athletic ability to excel. As a high school student, Ansley has stood out among her peers as a stellar tennis player, bright student and grounded individual who is thankful for all of life’s blessings. Ansley feels that one of her biggest life blessings has been her innate ability to play tennis. She began playing tennis at the age of eleven, just one year before she was able to compete. Ansley started practicing at the New Territory Tennis Club and moved to Sugar Creek Country Club a few years later. Last May, Ansley started attending Westside Tennis Center. Westside Tennis Center offers Ansley a more competitive environment. “Attending Westside Tennis Center has made a big impact on my game,” said Ansley. “It is everything that I could ask for in a program.” Ansley attends practice Monday through Friday for over two hours. At Westside, Ansley has learned how to be patient during the match and to not rush to get the win. She attends many tournaments where she competes with other state-ranked young ladies. One of Ansley’s goals was to be ranked in the top 50 in the state so that she would be considered for a tennis scholarship. Currently, Ansley is ranked number 36 in the state. Along with being a great tennis competitor outside of school, Ansley is also a member of the Clements
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tennis team. She has been on the Varsity team all four years of high school. Ansley played mixed doubles her freshman year and has played doubles since her sophomore year. “I play singles so much out of school that I want to play doubles at school when I have the opportunity,” said Ansley. “Doubles is a faster paced game and a crazy fun experience when you have a great partner.” Ansley’s partner was Laura Cardno. Ansley and Laura were ranked in the top eight doubles teams in Texas last year. As a team, Clements consistently wins the District Title. For her senior year tournaments, Ansley just wants to give it her all, not be so nervous and live for the moment. Ansley’s positive and focused attitude can be attributed to her participation in Young Life. “Young Life is my saving grace,” said Ansley. “I am
so busy, and I get wrapped up in trying to be perfect, so Young Life balances me out.” Ansley attends Young Life on Monday and Wednesday night. On Monday, “Club” is held, and on Wednesday, Ansley leads “Campaigners” for the freshman group. In the summer of 2011, Ansley attended a Young Life camp in Colorado where she realized God’s immense love for her and others. It was a life-changing experience for Ansley. One night as Ansley was driving home from Campaigners, she received a call from the tennis coach at Abilene Christian University inviting her to attend an official visit of the school. She really loved the campus, the tennis team and the tennis coach. When Ansley received the news that she would be granted a scholarship to Abilene Christian, she was ecstatic and so thankful because she had achieved her goals and her dream was now a reality. At Abilene Christian, Ansley knows that she will continue to advance her game and improve her skills. At college, Ansley would like to major in the medical field. This year, anatomy has become her favorite class and a great introductory experience for her into the medical field. Ansley is an intelligent student making straight A’s with the exception of one B all four years of high school. Ansley is truly a remarkable young lady with the determination to succeed in all things. We wish her all the best as she attends Abilene Christian University in the fall.
Ansley is truly a remarkable young lady with the determination to succeed in all things. fort bend
magazine • February 2013
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