VYPE: How long have you been playing tennis? How did your journey begin?
Olivia Stevenson: I’ve been playing tennis for as long as I could hold a racket. My mom was an avid player and played competitively in college and, to be honest, I think she just wanted a partner to hit with. But I learned to enjoy the sport when I moved into my middle school years. I joined the tennis team. I started to play competitively in my sixth grade year and continued to play all the way to my senior year of high school.
VYPE: What does it mean to represent Shawnee High School as a student-athlete?
OS: It is an honor to play for Shawnee High School but it is a privilege to play for my coach, John Stobbe. He made me the player I am today and made it so I would be able to play to the best of my ability so I can represent my school as a well-rounded athlete.
VYPE: What other activities, sports and hobbies are you involved in?
OS: I am the Vice-president of the Shawnee High School Student Council, Senior class secretary, a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Society, a decorated Girl Scout, a Red Cross volunteer, and I am a member of the National Honor Society. I am CPR/AED/First Aid certified through the Red Cross and I work as a lifeguard over the summers. I am currently getting my associate’s degree in Government and social sciences and I enjoy reading, kayaking, and community service.
VYPE: What’s one thing everybody should know about Olivia Stevenson, but few ask?
OS: I want everyone to know how much I love playing tennis. I love my teammates, my coach and all of the competition it gives me. Even though I can get burnt out, angry, or frustrated, I still believe tennis is an amazing sport and may be the best sport to play even when you’re older and in retirement. My hope is that at some point everyone picks up a tennis racket and learns how to play.
VYPE: What are your goals for this year?
OS: My goal for this year is to just make it past regionals and make state. It’s my senior year of high school and before I graduate I want to go out doing one of the things I love the most: playing tennis.
