CRYSTAL RIVER – For the past four years, Grace Curren has dominated the local girls tennis prep circuit. But her time on the court will soon come to a close.
The Hernando senior will lead the Lady Leopards into Tuesday’s regional semifinal against Hudson at the Brooksville City Courts, starting at 3 p.m.
She also has a trip to the FHSAA Finals on April 11-12 in Orlando locked in, after she and Maddie Pickersgill collected a district championship at No. 1 doubles, beating Natalie Dodd and Chase Davis from Citrus, 6-4, 7-5, on Thursday in the Class 2A, District 7 Tournament at Crystal River.
“I wanted to win. I started off my freshman year not having the killer instinct, but now that I’m a senior I wanted to win my last year,” Curren said. “I’m also pushing my team because we have a lot of younger kids, too. So it’s more of a captain’s view now, so I have to show them I’m going to play tough and they should also.”
Her final district tournament ended up being a mixed bag. Curren was 13-0 in singles play this season before a stunning loss to Central’s Vanessa Valencia in the No. 1 singles final, 3-6, 7-5, 6-4.
Curren, who had won two district singles titles previously, was still able to celebrate as the Lady Leopards earned their second consecutive district title. The team has advanced to regionals in every season since Curren joined the squad, each time with her as its top player.
She’ll be making her fourth appearance at states, having additionally won districts in doubles three times. If she can help the Lady Leopards earn a back-to-back regional title, she and rest of her teammates will be able to play in singles at states, as well.
“I’m really satisfied. Who can say that as a freshman you’ve gone to states and won districts for four years in a row?” Curren said. “I’m the target, but it’s something to look forward to every year, that someone is looking forward to trying to beat me and I’m looking for good matches.”
This postseason, though, there’s an extra emotional component. Not only will she be playing her last few matches for Hernando; she has no intentions of playing in college. She’s decided to focus on her nursing studies at Pasco-Hernando State College.
“It was always, I wanted to play for PHSC and that’s what I wanted to do. But now I’m into nursing. My reality of growing up finally hit me,” Curren said. “I’ve always loved being with people and caring for people. So my nursing program, we work at nursing homes and I just love getting to help them. It makes me happy.
“The beginning of the season, it hit me that it was hard just keeping up with my work for health and nursing at school. So I could imagine college work and trying to go to different schools and play, then come back and have to study too hard.”
Still, it wasn’t an easy decision to give up tennis. It’s a game she has played for so long, and she has performed at a high level.
“I started when I was 3, so that was pretty much my life. And I’ve just became passionate about nursing,” Curren said. “I’m hoping that’ll be another part of my life and I’ll still get to play once in a while.
“I plan on still playing with my coach and just keeping up with the game. It’ll be something fun to do. It’s a lifelong sport you can play.”
Admittedly an emotional person, Curren anticipates that tears will flow as she winds down her days with the Lady Leopards. Still, there are important matches remaining and a few more chances to add to her legacy.
“Just push myself harder. I’ve been practicing for it. This year I just want to get through it and do better than I have all the other years,” Curren said. “States is really good players. I can admit, I can’t keep up all the time. So just to play my hardest match; that’s my goal, is to play the best I can.”
Follow Chris Bernhardt Jr. on Twitter @cpbernhardtjr.