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HOLLAND - Two years ago, Gabi Rooks had the breakout performance of the year on the tennis courts.
The then-sophomore at Holland Christian moved into the No. 4 singles role and dominated all season, going 25-3 and reaching the state semifinals.
The future looked incredible.
But her junior season came crashing down - quite literally - before the season began as Rooks sustained a torn ACL in her knee during a sledding accident.
She was forced to watch all season.
More: Holland Sentinel All-Area Girls Tennis Team
But as she did her nine months of rehab to get stronger after surgery, she used her vision to pick up on the nuances of the sport while being forced to sit out.
It has led to an incredible comeback and a place as Holland Christian's No. 1 singles player as a senior.
"It was so upsetting to sit out. I was just devastated. Tennis is my favorite sport and I wanted to come back even stronger," Rooks said. "I dropped basketball and focused on tennis year-round so I could be here right now. It means so much, I would take any spot (on the team). I just want to be out here playing.
"(Watching for an entire season, I learned) it is just important to be smart. I picked up a lot of that into how I play."
Holland Christian coach Lynn Bender wasn't surprised Rooks made a comeback, but has been impressed with how her level of play has grown.
"When Gabi was a sophomore, she was a solid rock that got us to the second day of state," Bender said. "This year, we had no idea what to expect. Gabi had such a long recovery, she has only had a couple months testing the knee with lateral momement. We had no idea where she would end up, but she still has that same fight and grit from two years ago, she is just faster and stronger and makes players make one more ball. Her technique might not be perfect but her grit, her fight and hustle makes her opponents hit one more ball. She has nothing to prove this year, she just loves the fight."
The biggest fight began just after the injury and surgery.
"It started with a few weeks of being bed-ridden, then crutches and physical therapy, just learning how to bend it and straighten it when it was half the size of my other leg. Once I got basic mobility, it was all about strength," she said. "It was a nine-month recovery."
If it wasn't enough just to get back on the court, Rooks was challenging for the top spot on the team.
"The strength of my hit has been big. I was a pusher - a moon-baller - a couple of years ago. I had the mentality of outlasting everyone. Now I have to have strength to my hit. Not only do I have to be consistent, I have to be a strong hitter," Rooks said. "I am not too shocked in seeing some amazing players. But I honestly learn from them. I use their strength to have strength in my ball, but I am learning every single match, which is really fun."
Contact sports editor Dan D’Addona at Dan.D’[email protected]. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter @DanDAddona or Facebook @HollandSentinelSports.
This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Holland Christian's Gabi Rooks battles from ACL tear to reach No. 1
Continue reading...
The then-sophomore at Holland Christian moved into the No. 4 singles role and dominated all season, going 25-3 and reaching the state semifinals.
The future looked incredible.
But her junior season came crashing down - quite literally - before the season began as Rooks sustained a torn ACL in her knee during a sledding accident.
She was forced to watch all season.
More: Holland Sentinel All-Area Girls Tennis Team
But as she did her nine months of rehab to get stronger after surgery, she used her vision to pick up on the nuances of the sport while being forced to sit out.
It has led to an incredible comeback and a place as Holland Christian's No. 1 singles player as a senior.
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"It was so upsetting to sit out. I was just devastated. Tennis is my favorite sport and I wanted to come back even stronger," Rooks said. "I dropped basketball and focused on tennis year-round so I could be here right now. It means so much, I would take any spot (on the team). I just want to be out here playing.
"(Watching for an entire season, I learned) it is just important to be smart. I picked up a lot of that into how I play."
Holland Christian coach Lynn Bender wasn't surprised Rooks made a comeback, but has been impressed with how her level of play has grown.
"When Gabi was a sophomore, she was a solid rock that got us to the second day of state," Bender said. "This year, we had no idea what to expect. Gabi had such a long recovery, she has only had a couple months testing the knee with lateral momement. We had no idea where she would end up, but she still has that same fight and grit from two years ago, she is just faster and stronger and makes players make one more ball. Her technique might not be perfect but her grit, her fight and hustle makes her opponents hit one more ball. She has nothing to prove this year, she just loves the fight."
The biggest fight began just after the injury and surgery.
"It started with a few weeks of being bed-ridden, then crutches and physical therapy, just learning how to bend it and straighten it when it was half the size of my other leg. Once I got basic mobility, it was all about strength," she said. "It was a nine-month recovery."
You must be registered for see images attach
If it wasn't enough just to get back on the court, Rooks was challenging for the top spot on the team.
"The strength of my hit has been big. I was a pusher - a moon-baller - a couple of years ago. I had the mentality of outlasting everyone. Now I have to have strength to my hit. Not only do I have to be consistent, I have to be a strong hitter," Rooks said. "I am not too shocked in seeing some amazing players. But I honestly learn from them. I use their strength to have strength in my ball, but I am learning every single match, which is really fun."
Contact sports editor Dan D’Addona at Dan.D’[email protected]. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter @DanDAddona or Facebook @HollandSentinelSports.
This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Holland Christian's Gabi Rooks battles from ACL tear to reach No. 1
Continue reading...
