Senior Gabby Larson plays tennis for the NC varsity team as the line one doubles player, dominating her opponents on the court. She has played on the team for all four years of her high school experience and shows her love for the sport each day. Her passion and drive shine through in her games, allowing her to lead the tennis troupe with her enthusiasm. Throughout the season, Larson connects with her teammates and creates a bond that will last after her graduation. With hopes of fostering fond memories, she shoots for the stars and plans to reach the state playoffs alongside her friends.
“Gabby is so supportive of our team and is such a joy to be around. No matter if we’re losing or winning, she always has a positive outlook and is willing to cheer everyone on all the time. She’s also super funny and won’t let anyone be down, if there’s conflict she bridges the gap and tries to bring us all together whenever she can,” magnet senior teammate Geianah Thomas said.
As a doubles player, Larson plays with another girl by her side, magnet senior Claire Shelton, and they work together to win the matches. However, to understand the game it remains imperative to understand the key components of scoring. The inside of the court and the outside of the court contain different colors that determine which player gains a point. The color on the inside of the court counts as in and the outside of the court counts as out. For scoring, each player needs to gain four points to win a game. They start at 0-0, called love-love, and then the points accumulate afterward to fifteen, thirty and forty. Each of those names stands for one singular point won. Whoever wins after forty gains a game. In a high school varsity tennis match, the players need to win twelve games, split into two sets of six, to win the match.
“Gabby never hesitates to lift someone up if they’re having a bad day. She’s a super dedicated friend who always brings a smile to my face. She’s one of the best tennis players I know and she gives it her all on and off the court,” Shelton said.
Starting her journey at the age of four, Larson began playing tennis because of her mom. Jennifer Larson persuaded her daughter to join the sport because of her own passion. After successfully convincing young Larson to play, they strengthened their unbreakable mother-daughter bond. Unfortunately, Jennifer Larson passed away in 2021 due to Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Even though she has grieved, she continues to inspire her daughter to persevere. Larson’s love for the sport grew exponentially after her mother’s death because it helped her feel closer to her mom. Missing her mom every day, Larson strives to bring her mom pride by continuing the sport.
“I have the honor and privilege to have known Gabby for 13 years. I knew Gabby when her tennis racket was as tall as the two of us. She has always been committed to the sport of tennis, pushing with passion through intense matches. She is a force on the court, a cheerleader on the sidelines and has led us in the Warrior cheer all 4 years. She is a core part of the varsity team. She always knows how to bring a smile to your face,” senior teammate Amelia McCarthy said.
Moving forward, Larson does not plan to play tennis in college. While she connects to the sport because of her mom, she hopes to find new connections through leaving the sport. Planning on attending Kennesaw State University (KSU) or the University of North Georgia (UNG), Larson hopes to pursue a career in nursing or caregiving, inspired by her mom’s caregivers. While her future lays ahead, Larson will always acknowledge her roots and cherish her memories of tennis.
“Seeing my moms caretakers work day in and out with my mom while I had school and my dad had work made me realize how much I wanted to do what they did. Knowing my mom was in good hands, and that I was safe to go to school because they would come in and take amazing care of her was just the peace I needed. I know I can make someone else feel the peace that they made me feel while my mom was sick, so when they would come in and take care of my mom and do almost everything that my mom couldn’t do for herself, it just made me realize how much I wanted to take up that career,” Larson said.
The Chant wishes Larson good luck in her final season at NC and her future ahead.
