In order to succeed, one must be willing to put in many hours filled with dedication and hard work. Senior Clay Adams is an outstanding example of this incredible work ethic.  As the captain of the UC High Boys Tennis Team, Adams leads by example.

   He has consistently helped his team advance throughout the season, beating almost every opponent that he faces. “He wins almost every singles match for us. If we lose then we can always count on Clay to win for the team,” said Freshman Richard Jason.

   According to Adams, he has been playing tennis for about nine years. For about six of those years, he has been competing in tournaments. “My favorite part of playing tennis is probably the competitiveness that it brings out in me. I also like winning. It just brings out a great feeling, knowing that all my hard work pays off,” Adams explained.

   Adams is always trying to improve his skill, and he is willing to do whatever it takes to become better than his opponents. “Clay practices a lot, almost everyday. He wants to be the best, and he is definitely getting there,” said Junior Abdul Buzeriba.

   Not only does Adams work on improving himself, but he also does everything he can to help his teammates get better. “He hits with a lot of the varsity players, which is helping us improve our personal skills.  When I hit with him he always challenges me, and that is what helps me improve,” said Jason. “He taught me everything I needed to know. He brought me up from the bottom of JV to the top of varsity,” Buzeriba explained. “He makes us better players, and better as a team.”

   The Boys Tennis Team had a lot of success this year. Not only did they win almost every single game and win League with an undefeated record, but they also made it all the way to the CIF Championship, and Adams played a huge part in this success. According to Adams, “We lost to Carlsbad in the Finals. It was a pretty good match. I won all three of my games, but they were a really good team overall.”

   Having a good attitude towards your opponents is one of the most important parts of being a successful athlete, and Adams is an excellent example of what it is to be a tasteful athlete. “He is probably one of the nicest people I have ever met in tennis. Even if he is demolishing someone, he will still give them compliments and still be nice. He won’t rub it in that he is the better player,” said Buzeriba.

   Adams’s hard work has paid off, as he will be continuing his tennis career at California State University Long Beach (CSULB). Adams said, “Last year, I was playing in a tournament, and their coach told me that he wanted me to be a part of his program.”

   Adams said that he committed to CSULB, because of the campus, and its strong tennis program. “It’s close to home, and the campus is really nice. I could see myself fitting into the campus culture as well.” He added, “They have a great tennis program, and they play some of the toughest teams in California, so it will help me improve as a player.”      

   Overall, Adams is an excellent athlete. He plays the game with a lot of class, and is always trying to improve himself and his surrounding teammates. “I’m always doing whatever I can to be the best I can and to help my team,” said Adams.