By: Hunter Ferguson
Altus tennis coach Jessica Robinson spoke to VYPE in a recent interview.
VYPE: What are your personal goals for the year?
My goal for tennis is to have a great season that sees our athletes reach their potential and enjoy the sport; we have so many hard-working and talented kids who love tennis. I want to push them to be their best and see their hard work pay off.
VYPE: What is your favorite athletic memory?
My favorite memory of coaching tennis has been watching one of our girls, Aubrey, last year place 3rd at state. She was one of my tennis players my first year coaching junior high tennis, and to see her get on the podium her senior year it felt like a full circle moment. Overall, I have so many great memories of practices and fun tournaments on the road.
VYPE: What teammate has left the biggest impression on you and why?
One former player Alex Bianchi left a major impression when he was a foreign exchange student here from Italy. Alex is probably one of the funniest and kindest people I have ever met. He was an exceptional tennis player finishing 3rd at 1 Singles at State, but an even better teammate and friend to every single person on the team. The best part of coaching is the relationships, and I’ve been very fortunate to have so many students and athletes who mean so much to me.
VYPE: What is your favorite part of being on this team?
Tennis is not only physically demanding but mentally as well. I have seen so much growth in some of our athlete’s confidence and court presence throughout the years. Also, this team is special and probably my favorite part is how these kids support each other and want to push each other every day to be their best.
VYPE: What Clubs or Campus groups are you involved with and why?
I am the Social Studies Department Chair and an Instructional Technology Coach. I also have done Link Crew for almost 10 years which develops juniors and seniors as leaders to mentor freshmen.
VYPE: What has your sport taught you that you use in your daily life?
Tennis is always a reminder for me that failure is growth. One of the hardest things to do in life is fail and keep pushing at the same time. You have to push through your mistakes in tennis during points, games, sets, and matches. You are constantly self-assessing as you play and trying to course correct because it can change on a dime. I think ultimately that is what I use in everyday life because winning used to be everything to me, but it isn’t about winning it is about the pursuit.
VYPE: What is the best advice that anyone has given you?
There are two types of people in this world: the first person walks into a room and says, “Look at me,” while the other person says, “Look at you.” I have never forgotten that after I heard it, and it is a reminder to not only put others first but to elevate them.
VYPE: Who inspires you and why?
My Mom has always inspired me in the way she approaches life and treats others. She doesn’t just treat others how she wants to be treated; she treats them better. She also always instilled in my brother and I to never do things halfway, and leave things better than you found them. I think that approach applies to everything in life from your faith, to your family, to your job, to sports, and beyond.
VYPE: Here is your chance to give a shoutout or say thank you to anyone you wish.
I genuinely want to thank all of the people in Altus Public Schools who have encouraged me in my career so far, and all of the kids who make this job so rewarding. I know how lucky I am to do something I love every day.
