When senior Tonia Keys-Bramlett plays doubles on the varsity tennis team, she has no trouble cooperating with her partner, twin Janae. Although they share the hobby, Tonia maintains her own skills and identity as an athlete.

Tonia began playing tennis four years ago after being introduced to the game by tennis coach Mike Pearson. In eighth grade she was No. 4 on the FC ladder and now is No. 2.

“I practice two to three hours for two to four times a week outside of school,” Tonia said. “I decided to play tennis because I did not play a sport in the seventh grade so I tried it and ended up liking it a lot.”

For some athletes, after-school practices affects their schoolwork, but Tonia makes projects and homework a priority, along with her athletics.

“I practice Monday, Wednesday, Saturday and sometimes play matches Tuesday and Thursday,” Bramlett said. “My practice doesn’t really affect my homework. If I have a really big project and need the time, I skip practice and just do basics.”

Tonia shares her sport and her doubles matches with twin sister Janae. She says the pairing works well because they are comfortable together.

“I play singles as well as doubles with my sister Janae,” Tonia said. “It’s a lot of fun to play with her. I was taught how to play doubles with Janae with the same techniques so I play well with her. I think it is important to like your partner and be able to be comfortable to play with him/her because you can play much better.”

Campus tennis coach George Freeman’s goal for Tonia this year is for her to become more consistent. She also sets a higher goal for herself to help her improve.

Senior Brittany Shaffer, the No. 1 ladder player, said that Tonia is a strong tennis player because of her unpredictability.

“She is very consistent and has shots that you do not expect,” Shaffer said. “She will make it look like she is going to do a certain shot, but ends up doing a completely different play.”

Shaffer respects Tonia as a player and as a person because she is determined and fearless.

“She is a very gracious player,” Shaffer said. “When she wins she has a very good attitude and tells other teams they did a good job and when she looses she congratulates the other teams. She is a very sweet person, because when you ask for her help with something she will do anything for you within reason.”

Between homework and tennis practice, Tonia finds little time to unwind with friends.

“If I have free time, which is not very often, I like to read and do woodshop projects,” Tonia said. “When I have a free weekend I like to go snowboarding.”

After graduating, Tonia is interested in attending Cal Poly University for their engineering program.

“The reason I want to go into engineering is because I am interested in how things work and I like math,” Tonia said. “I am also hoping to continue tennis through college because it would help me improve my skills.”

For more information on the tennis team read the Girls’ tennis sport shorts or e-mail Freeman.