Team Conditioning Systems:
Athlete Spotlight: Molly Swartz

Thursday, June 15, 2000

By Joanne Costantino
SJSports Staff Writer

Molly Swartz has just finished her sophomore year at Episcopal Academy. The USTA national standings have Molly ranked in its Girls, 16, Super Seed, with a record of 8-13. She has played tennis competitively for 3 years and also plays squash for her school. She plays No. 1 Singles for Episcopal Academy and is part of the Arthur Ashe Youth Travel team. Training with coach Greg Ranieri at Delaware Valley Tennis Academy and a clinic in Narberth weekly to hone her skills and technique leaves Molly little time for much of anything else, but this versatile young lady finds time for her hobbies of music and acting. Molly has played piano for about 8 years and stills takes regular lessons. She also has added a Drama course to her academic schedule.

Among her accomplishments, Molly is a strong academic student achieving the highest GPA in her class last year. She favors math and science over subjects like history. Making time for community service, in the AIDS walk last fall, Molly was part of the group representing Episcopal Academy.

Her favorite player is the Grand Slam champ Monica Seles, now 6th ranked according to the WTA in the women's singles category and preparing for the upcoming Wimbledon. She admires mostly Seles' emotional strength and courage, especially after returning back to the top 10 after her ordeal of being attacked and stabbed by a spectator. By coincidence, Molly has the same initials as Monica.

Molly is committed to be the best athlete she can, and feels that tennis has become part of her identity. As an only child she has an affinity for the oneness of playing the singles game. Molly's confidence allows her to almost thrive on the pressure of playing her side of the court. She does it well.