Center Grove’s Ava Beecher hits a shot during a recent doubles match.
Chris Williams | For the Daily Journal
In the not-so-distant future, Ava Beecher bids farewell to her home state and the time she spent playing competitive tennis.
The Center Grove senior admits she’ll miss both, but life’s next steps, especially at her age, often include removal from one’s comfort zones — geographically or otherwise.
Beecher plans to attend the University of Tampa beginning the 2024-25 school year. She’s yet to settle on a major, but at the moment is looking into possibly considering nursing or health sciences.
“I like the location of it, and we have family friends down there,” said Beecher, who is playing No. 1 doubles for the 15th-ranked Trojans for a second consecutive season. “The architecture is really nice, and as you go through campus, there are palm trees everywhere.
“From visiting there twice, it seems more like vacation. I feel like I need to get out on my own. I’m hoping four years down there will be an experience that allows me to figure out what I want to do after college.”
In time, the warm-weather environment will become the norm for Beecher, similar to the way she once adjusted to being a high school freshman.
Until then, she continues to play her role for Center Grove, which plays at home this afternoon against Bloomington North. It’s a role that, one way or another, calls for her to be adaptable as well as coachable.
Beecher was the team’s No. 2 singles player as a sophomore, earning All-District 5 notice and honorable mention All-State status.
As a junior, she was part of four different No. 1 doubles combinations. Beecher and classmate Lauren Dick were one of 10 doubles teams to make first team All-State. Other partners were Sloane Small, Anna Runkle, Peri Small and Aliyeh Boyer. So far this season, Beecher has found herself again paired with Runkle, Boyer and Dick at different times.
Under coach Debby Burton, players become accustomed to practicing with different partners. Together they go through match scenarios so Burton can take into consideration a tandem’s strengths, weaknesses, level of communication and on-court chemistry.
“We’re still figuring things out with different combinations,” Burton said. “This is a team, and we have to be flexible.”
Beecher enjoys being able to adjust to any situation.
“I’m okay with the moving around because it’s what’s best for the team,” Beecher said. “I like playing singles, but I play volleyball, and that’s helped me with my aggression at the net. That helps me more in doubles than singles.”
In the fall, Beecher was a defensive specialist for a Trojans volleyball team that posted a 27-6 record, advancing to the final of the Class 4A regional at Bloomington North. She finished her final season with 131 digs and 20 service aces.
Burton annually places an emphasis on seniors taking ownership of the tennis program. Beecher, Dick, Runkle and others are being asked to lead in the same manner in which their predecessors were.
“We definitely rely on our upperclassmen to lead the way and set the example for the younger players,” Beecher said. “If we change our mind and have Ava play singles, she’s okay with that.
“She’s worked really hard, and is really passionate about tennis. Ava brings a lot of energy to our team.”
