Ready for the next step

By Corine Gatti

Published: July 7, 2008

It will never end. The hard work, the passion and drive to be the best.
Shawnte Woodson pushes herself to keep tennis pumping through her blood. That means there is no time to rest for the recent Waynesboro graduate. This summer she will be teaching tennis and playing in tourneys before she packs up her racquet for Hollins University, a NCAA Division III school outside of Roanoke.
Her first splash in collegiate territory makes her wonder about her performance.
“It’s going to be tough to play on that level,” Woodson said.
Meanwhile, Woodson is getting her swings in at the National Junior Tennis League Camp. She is enjoying her time teaching.
“I think that being a counselor here is going to help me stay focused and play better when I start at Hollins. And I wanted to come here because I love working with kids,” Woodson said.
Her spectators that June 30 morning were children. They grouped around her and watched her shift her feet on the hot clay. Moving in a smooth rhythm, swinging her racquet with steadiness, her backhand with ease, they mimicked her moves.
That’s one of the reasons instructor Al Hite took her on as one of the counselors to work with the next generation of players.
“Having players with that kind of skill who are going to college is a real asset,” the former Stuarts Draft coach said. “I watched her play in doubles. I really liked what I see.”
Woodson enjoyed playing in high school but knew it’s time to move on.
“I want to play with kids that are good as me or better, that is the reason I want to play so much at the next the level,” Woodson said.
The Giants (9-0) finished their season early but Woodson held on to move to the Region III doubles with cousin Kiawna Berry for the quarterfinals.
She mentioned that postseason with Waynesboro prepared her to play in the Old Dominion Conference.
“During the regionals, I liked playing people like that. I loved that type competition. High school was OK, but I’m ready for college.”
Woodson said she will start practice at Hollins in August and will start her first match in September.
Hite said that Woodson has the right stuff.
“She’s a good baseline hitter and has a really good serve,” Hite said.
As far as looking beyond her freshman year, Woodson said she will take it slowly.
“I would like to play in the pros, but that will take a lot, a lot of practice, and a really good instructer. Playing at the college level is were I want to be right now, you never know,” Woodson said.