EXTENDED PLAY — Blue Earth Area first singles player Addison Armstrong stretches out to reach a return to her backhand during regular-season tennis action at Hal Schroeder Courts in Blue Earth. Armstrong netted the No. 2 seed in the Section 2A Individual Meet’s singles bracket on Friday and advanced to Wednesday’s semifinals. (Photo by Greg Abel)
BLUE EARTH — Blue Earth Area junior Addison Armstrong uses her athleticism to achieve success as a three-sport standout.
Currently, Armstrong plays No. 1 singles for the Bucs’ girls tennis team under the guidance of first-year head coach Spencer Monson.
She posted a 17-2 overall record during the regular season before netting her 18th win in Thursday’s Section 2A Team semifinals.
The No. 2-seeded player in the sectional individual tournament received a first-round bye on Friday before netting a quarterfinal win to advance to Wednesday’s semifinals.
“I like playing singles instead of doubles,” Armstrong said. “Playing singles makes me use my quickness, especially side-to-side, rather than doubles.”
“Addison is quick on her feet and can get to every ball,” Monson said. “She is a leader and a great example for our team. I’m glad she was one of the returning players I inherited when I took the head coaching job at Blue Earth (Area).”
Monson was previously an assistant tennis coach at St. James Area High School.
Addison’s strength is her backhand. She is left-handed, but plays tennis right-handed.
“My backhand is my best shot,” she said. “I have a forehand, but I prefer my backhand.”
Armstrong has played on the varsity tennis team since seventh grade and played singles for a majority of those years.
She began playing tennis at age 5 and follows in the footsteps of her older sister, Te’a, who is a sophomore on the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire women’s tennis squad.
“Te’a enjoys playing college tennis,” Addison Armstrong said. “I want to go to college and just be a student. If I did play a sport, I would do pole vault. It doesn’t matter what college I go to. If I have a choice, I want to go away.”
Addison’s favorite sport of gymnastics is coming up under head coach Rachel Cole. Official practice begins Monday, Nov. 14.
BEA’s first gymnastics meet is Thursday, Dec. 1, at Luverne.
“Of the three sports I participate in, I like gymnastics the most,” Addison Armstrong said. “I like being like a daredevil in the events. I don’t mind the pressure.”
Armstrong competes as an all-arounder during her winter athletic season, displaying her athleticism on vault, floor exercise, uneven parallel bars and balance beam.
Addison’s final sport of choice in the spring season is track and field.
BEA will have a new head coach after long-time head coach Tom Plocker retired.
She runs the 400 meters, does pole vault and is a member of the 4×100 and 4×200 relays squads.
Armstrong is a workout fanatic and has a physique to match.
She especially needs the strength in gymnastics, which requires a vast amount of physical strength.
Addison is at the gym at 5 a.m., completes her workout and is at school before the bell rings. After school it’s competing in her sport of choice, then home for dinner, homework, studying and off to bed.
“I like working out,” she said.
Addison is the youngest child of Tami and Travis Armstrong.
In the classroom, Armstrong carries a 3.8 grade point average and is interested in pursuing a career in the medical field after college.
“I’m not sure what, but I definitely want to be in the medical field,” Armstrong said.
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