Q&A // Brittany Bolster, Liberty, tennis

By Rich Scherr | Special to The Sun

May 25, 2008

Brittany Bolster won four straight Carroll County singles title for Liberty. (Handout photo)

After growing up playing a variety of sports, Brittany Bolster six years ago chose to pursue a career in tennis.

The decision has proven a wise one for the Liberty senior, who recently claimed her fourth straight Carroll County singles title. After also winning a regional title last weekend, Bolster took an unblemished record into this weekend's state tennis tournament in College Park, where was the No. 4 seed.

Currently ranked No. 5 in Maryland among 18-and-under girls by the U.S. Tennis Association, Bolster has dominated local competition by using her powerful forehand and backhand to dictate points from the baseline.

She will continue her career next season at Shepherd University.

You played a lot of sports when you were younger. What ultimately made you choose this one?

I used to ice skate, but I chose tennis because it was easier time-wise for me. And my coach really got me into it.

Was it something you excelled at from the moment you started?

I liked it from the moment I started it, but it took time for me to get good.

How would you describe yourself as a player?

I'm a smart power player. I go to the net sometimes, but I'm a baseliner, mostly. I have a really strong forehand and a strong serve, so sometimes I'll go to the net because of that. But basically I'm just a baseline player.

You recently won your fourth straight Carroll County singles title. With all of your previous success, did you feel a lot of pressure to repeat?

There was definitely pressure on me. It's harder to defend the title than winning it the first time.

One of the qualities your coaches love about you is that you never seem to underestimate an opponent. How do you prepare yourself for matches?

I like watching players. From previous years, I've kind of figured out what their weaknesses are. If a person has a weak backhand, I'll just hit it to their backhand all day. I know everyone is out to get me -- to beat me -- so you have to have that mentality of, "This person is trying to beat me. I have to beat them."

Your older brother, Chris, was a doubles player at Liberty. What did you learn from watching him play?

He was very competitive, so I definitely picked that up. He didn't have a lot of lessons, but he was definitely a strong player -- his serve was big.

When you used to play each other, who usually won?

Usually me.

You're going to Shepherd University next fall. What was it about that school that you liked?

It is a good tennis program and has a great coach. And it's not a big, big school, but it's not too small. I think I can help them next year.

Have you decided yet what you'd like to study?

I want to go into the advertising business. This year I did an internship, and that was good for me. It was at MGH in Owings Mills. I just helped them out, whatever they needed. I was kind of like a filer. I like art a lot, and more of the graphic design area. But I'm pretty strong in math, too.

Is there a particular type of art that you're especially into right now?

I like painting -- acrylic. I like drawing bodies and painting architectural. I did a whole concentration for my art class on churches, which was very interesting.

Have you ever tried drawing or painting tennis scenes?

Yeah, I have. They were OK, but I'm not a big drawer of tennis rackets.

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Q&A // Brittany Bolster, Liberty, tennis

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