Athlete of the Week: Goode’s versatility helps Poway High

By Michael Bower

Savanah Goode has been the quiet leader for the Poway High girls tennis team. The sophomore has gone 19-3 through last Sunday and has shown the versatility to thrive in both singles and doubles play.

“I feel confident wherever I place her in the lineup,” Titans coach Evi Yarnell-Valles said. “I know she will give it her all and be successful.”

Goode, who played with the Poway varsity team as a freshman last year, has helped the Titans get off to a strong start. Last year, Poway won just five matches all season. Through Monday, the Titans have already won seven matches, including last week’s 15-3 victory over Mt. Carmel and 17-1 win over San Pasqual.

“We have a lot of newcomers this year and have done a good job at mixing things up,” said Goode, who is currently ranked No. 89 in the USTA girls 16 singles points standings. “We are trying to get better and trying to get more wins. It is really challenging playing in the Palomar League.”

Goode swept through her six sets of play last week. She won 6-1, 6-0 and 6-3 against Mt. Carmel. She won 6-0, 6-2 and 6-0 against San Pasqual.

For her efforts, Goode is the Frozen Ropes’ Athlete of the Week.

“I have been working on being more consistent this year,” said Goode, whose only loss in singles play this season through Sunday was to Del Norte’s Kylie Haviland. “I have been working a lot on my backhand and my serve, too.”

Like many of the top tennis players in the area, Goode plays in USTA tournaments about every other weekend. But it doesn’t affect her time with Poway and she enjoys the opportunity to get out there and play doubles every now and then.

“I enjoy playing with my friends in doubles because we can work together and strategize how to play and beat other opponents,” Goode said. “It is nice to actually be able to talk with a friend during a match, because when you make a bad shot you have someone there to cheer you up and pump you up.”

Goode, who said she volunteers at Pomerado Hospital for two hours every Sunday, has been playing tennis for eight years. Her parents started her out in youth league tennis.

“From there I started to play tournaments and I really liked it,” Goode said. “I like competing and meeting new friends. I have a lot of friends that play tennis.”

Goode said she hopes to continue playing tennis in college one day, but as a sophomore she really hasn’t thought much about it yet. For now, she is just enjoying her time at Poway.

“I am having a lot of fun playing with the team,” Goode said. “It has been a great experience competing for the school and being able to play with my friends.”

Related posts:

1. Prep Girls Tennis: Poway High stays hot with 15-3 win over Mt. Carmel in Palomar League opener
2. Prep Girls Tennis: Poway High quietly piling up wins
3. Prep Girls Tennis: Road gets tougher in Palomar League for Rancho Bernardo High, Poway; Del Norte favorite in Valley League
4. Prep Girls Tennis: Bernhardt leads Rancho Bernardo High over Del Norte; Torrey Pines up next

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Posted by Michael Bower on Sep 26 2012. Filed under Athletes of the Week, High School, Sports. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry