Auburn eighth-grader Claire Minnoe played like a veteran this season, advancing all the way to the state tournament.

The Citizen's girls tennis player of the year also captured a Section III championship. And while she reached her goal this season of making it to states, Minnoe is no stranger to a high level of competition.

“I play USTA tournaments during the offseason,” she said “So I am used to the pressure of a big match and how to play with nerves.”

Auburn's coach Shelly Connors said Minnoe's success comes from her determination and work ethic.

“She works hard and has a good drive for the game,” Connors said. “She has fun with it, though, and she has a hunger for success in the sport.”

Minnoe is excited about her accomplishments and how well the team played this season.

“It was so much fun to be a part of a great team,” Minnoe said. “I feel like my hard work really paid off this year. Making states was the best part, it was a big accomplishment and one of my main goals this season. I am looking forward to next year and already setting goals for myself.”

Connors expects Minnoe to make advancements in her game, but also believes Auburn's No. 1 singles player will benefit just from being a student at the high school.

“She was surrounded by upperclassmen,” Connors said. “They all got along really well, but next year will be so much better for her because she will be in the high school with them. Once she comes to the high school and it is her peers she is with on the team, it will give her a chance to come out more as a leader and possibly she can come out of her shell some more.”

And now that Minnoe has had a taste of success, she's even more determined to keep it going throughout her varsity career, which looks very bright.

“I practice hard in the off season so I am hoping to become even more competitive,” Minnoe said. “On a team note, it would be great for us as a team to compete for the sectional title. I know that if I continue to work hard, hopefully good things will happen.”

“We will be working on making (Minnoe's) game a little more well rounded,” Connors said. “She is a competitor and she will be competing for a while, she has proved that.”