VYPE: What do you love most about being a student-athlete at Carl Albert HS?

Lily Bryant: I love that it is highly encouraged to be involved in things in addition to your sport. Being a student-Athlete at Carl Albert has given me an opportunity to be involved in many leadership and Christ-centered clubs.

VYPE: What’s your favorite subject in school and do you have a favorite teacher?

LB: My favorite subject is definitely math, but this year my favorite teacher is my English teacher, Mrs. Sandersfeld.

VYPE: At what age did you discover your interest in tennis?

LB: I was in third grade when I started going to drills with Coach Mays, one of the CA coaches, and these drills showed me how tennis could be fun and sparked my love for the sport.

VYPE: What’s it like to call outs for your opponent?

LB: It is definitely hard to deal with sometimes, because the only thing you have to fact-check calls is your own eyes, which can lead to many people calling balls in/out for their own benefit.

VYPE: Tennis, pickle ball, or ping pong, which are you playing for fun?

LB: Definitely tennis, because I completely miss mostly every shot in both pickleball and ping pong.

VYPE: What motivates you to keep playing and striving for improvement?  

LB: My teammates always help me continue to have a competitive spirit. My dad has also always been a motivating factor in my life, telling me that everything I do should be done with full effort.

VYPE: Which teammate always impresses you the most or do you have a former teammate who left an impression on you?

LB: One of the most impactful teammates I have had is Riley Reese, who graduated last year. She taught me how to find joy in the hard matches and stay positive and was always a role model for me on how to shine Christ’s light in my sport.

VYPE: Who has been a big influence in your life?

LB: My grandma is my best friend, and she is one of the most impactful people in my life. She is so compassionate and loving to everyone around her, and she is the perfect example of a Godly woman. She has always been there for me, and she rarely ever misses any of my tournaments.

VYPE: What do you enjoy doing in your free time outside of school and sports?

LB: I love to hang out with my friends and go eat at fun places and do different activities together. I also like playing the guitar and reading when I have the time.

VYPE: What would you like to do after you graduate?

LB: I want to go to college to become a labor and delivery nurse, and later in life I want to be a mom.