Published: May 14, 2008 10:42 pm            

O'Conner takes tennis talent to Marian

Lebanon — The Marian College women’s tennis team finished the 2007-08 season with a remarkable 14-3 record, falling in its regional tournament in April. Things may get even better in the 2008-09 with the signing of Lebanon High School senior Aly O’Conner, Monday.

The multi-sport athlete signed her letter of intent to play for the Lady Knights. O’Conner plays No. 1 singles for the co-Sagamore Conference champion girls tennis team, and was also a senior standout for the Lebanon girls soccer team.

“I just kind of fell in love with tennis,” O’Conner said. “I love the game, and it’s a lot of fun.”

She also enjoys the individual aspect of the game of tennis.

“In soccer and basketball, I had to rely on myself and other teammates, but in tennis, it’s a mental game, and you’re the one that has to control it in order to play well,” O’Conner said.

She will receive a partial athletic scholarship to attend Marian, and said that her decision to attend the school was based on several factors.

“I love how close it is to home, the campus is beautiful, they have very small classes (which is) similar to the high school, so I don’t think it’s going to be that hard for me to adjust,” she said. “I know quite a few people that are attending and people that will attend next year.”

She will join 2007 Lebanon High School graduate Dana Reynolds on the Marian College tennis team, and she is the third Tiger to sign a letter of intent to become a Knight in 2008. Hannah Boeh will join the Marian women’s basketball team, while Evan Acton will play for the Marian football team in the fall. All of these student-athletes join a campus that is currently undergoing major growth and expansion.

“I though it was kind of neat how (Marian) is expanding, and making itself known, and getting all the athletics in there,” O’Conner said. “I kind of wanted to be a part of something like that.”

The Lebanon tennis team will certainly miss a unique talent like that of Aly O’Conner, but Lebanon head coach Lisa Erwin is delighted to see one of her players reach the next level of competition.

“We’re very proud of her, and we’re really excited for her to be able to play at Marian,” Erwin said. “We have a couple other kids there, and I think that she will blend very well with their program.”

Erwin explained that, although she brings a wealth of athletic ability to a tennis team, many qualities she provides are intangible.

“Not only has her physical ability meant dependability at our No. 1 (singles position), but also her mental attitude and leadership skills have been extremely important,” Erwin said. “The other girls follow her well, and she leads by example.”

Erwin said that O’Conner is an easy player to coach, and that Marian is fortunate to pick up such a player.

“She’s very coachable and she understands quickly what you are asking of her,” Erwin said, regarding the skills she possesses now that will translate to the next level. “She’s able to analyze and adjust her game to accomodate an opponent... Second would be her mental attitude. She has a positive outlook all the time, and she takes criticism well. That’s very important on the collegiate level because here she’s going to start again as a freshman.”

        

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