Girls Tennis Player of the Year: Perkins' Amy Schlessman

Sometimes it's about the overall body of work.

And in the case of Perkins senior tennis sensation Amy Schlessman, the career numbers say it all in what was a star-studded four-year career as a member of the Lady Pirates.

"It was a lot of fun," Schlessman said. "I had to work really hard to get to that point, but overall the journey from my freshman to senior seasons with the team was just amazing."

There are many accomplishments to point out and remember, but for Schlessman, a team accomplishment is the first thing she will remember.

"When my team won the league title my freshman and senior years," she said. "And also this year was fun when our team won the doubles tournament at the Pirate Invite to get my 100th victory.

"The first time I qualified for state as a sophomore was really special because it's an amazing feeling, but winning the conference with my teammates was pretty special."

In her four Sandusky Bay Conference and sectional championships, Schlessman won them all in straight sets except her title victory over Huron's Jacque Weir in which it took three sets back in October.

Schlessman also weighed in on the debate of how much is too much in terms of playing year round to get better as a player.

"You have to make sure your having fun," she said. "If you don't enjoy what you do, it's not really worth it. I play year round and take a little time off when I'm doing other things at school, but I play pretty much every day.

"But you don't have to play constantly, as I'm in a lot of activities and can still play enough to keep me going. It depends on the player really. Some need to be out there all the time, but it depends on how you play and how good you want to be."

As for after high school, area fans haven't heard the last of Schlessman.

"I plan to play in college," she said. "I'm not sure where I'm going, but Kenyon and Denison are my top two choices. I have a few others I'm looking at, but right now those two are favorites."