Gunsallus finds tennisrewarding

Gunsallus,a senior from Tennessee who's majoring in Physical Education hasplayed tennis since high school,traveled with amateur tennis tournaments and placed fifth ina national tennis tournament sponsored by Lipton Tea.

She plans tocoach and teach after graduation and one day hopes to go pro

Gunsallus isa well-rounded athlete She played basketball, softball, volleyball and track in high school, butfinds tennis the most rewarding sport asitallowsfor more individual competition

"In tennis you don't getto a certain ageand have to stop,"she said. "It's an individual sport that allows you toplay till you're 99 if you want."

Tennis demands sixto seven hours ofdaily practice and in high school Gunsallus gotup at5:30 a.m. and practiced before school, then practiced after school and atnight.

Apart from tennis involving hard physical discipline,Gunsallus finds the emotional aspect extremely important.

"Before Iwas saved, Iplayed for myself now Iam playing for God, to give Him theglory,"she explained.

"When you're outon thecourt you have todepend on God," she

An all-around athlete, Gunsallus practices tennis frequently duringtheweek.She has deemed tennis the"most rewarding sport" and one day hopes togopro. said.

She finds herrole asa Christian athlete an asset in witnessing.

"Kids look up toathletes, and sports isa good way towitness," she said,"Youhave togo out and show your opponent that you're good."

As a Christian,Gunsallus believes in maintaining a balance between her sports and herpersonal beliefs.

"Successful women athletes like Billy Jean King areaggressive and play forall it'sworth," shesaid "I believe in being aggressive and paying theprice towin youjust can't sit back. You need to have God asyour motivation."

Gunsallus believes if shehad not become saved and come toLBCshe would have tried playing protennis.

"I think everyone wants to think about going pro,even ifthey have just a bitofability," shesaid, "But God's taught me a lotsinceI became willing togive up tennisif He wanted me to."

Her advice totennis players starting outisto"work hard,be willing tosacrifice forthe game, and go outand win."

-Carole Smith [