Q&A: Mounds View tennis captain Chen does the mentoring now

Mounds View senior Claire Chen found a deciding third set occupying her focus in the Class 2A, Section 5 girls' tennis final against Coon Rapids last week.

Then Chen and Kalei Cartwright, her partner at third doubles, noticed smiling Mustang teammates in the bleachers.

"Our teammates started flashing us the number four with their fingers so we got the idea that we already won," Chen said.

Chen and Cartwright went on to victory at third doubles as Mounds View defeated the Cardinals 6-1 to clinch its eighth consecutive state tournament appearance. The Mustangs (16-1) open play on Oct. 21 at the Baseline Tennis Center on the University of Minnesota campus.

Chen, a versatile doubles player who held down various positions, did not lose in dual-match play all season. She also serves as a captain.

"We are still a young team with three seniors, no juniors and eight sophomores," coach Mike Cartwright said. "So Claire is an important leader for us. I usually paired her with a sophomore doubles partner because Claire brings the stability factor. She is a hard-working, determined player."

Chen spoke with Star Tribune reporter David La Vaque about improving all season, mentoring younger teammates and having the opportunity to close her prep career at the state tournament.

A: My parents wanted my sister and I to try as many sports as we could and see which one we liked, and in the neighborhood I used to live in there were tennis courts nearby. It came with time but tennis is the sport I turned out to like the most. I play USTA team tennis in the summer and I take lessons at the Life Time Fitness in Fridley.

Q: It's a short season but do you feel you've progressed?

A: In the beginning of the season our team wasn't all together. Our lineup was a little shaky as we tried to figure out who worked well at what position. But it's gotten better. For me, I think I got better, but I didn't start off that well. I just needed to hit the ball and not overanalyze things.

Q: Coach Cartwright said you're typically paired with a sophomore doubles partner. What sort of advice do you give them going into matches?

A: Just to not stress out too much and to be confident in their own abilities. I tell them it's OK to mess up. Tennis is something to have fun with.

A: Yeah, there were a lot of upperclassmen on the team when I first joined varsity. They all had this confident, fun air to them. I played doubles with Kenzie Anderson and she was always so aggressive with the ball. She wasn't afraid of anything. She would just go out there and hit. I'd like to think I'm doing that now.

Q: Coach Cartwright identified you as an important leader this season. What did you two talk about going into the fall?

A: It was a lot about making sure the other girls on our team know what our goals are. We wanted to improve as players and as a team this year, and not look ahead to the next season. We're only going to have this team once and we want to make it the best we can.

Q: How great was it to see your teammates holding up four fingers?

A: It was a big relief. We were like, 'Yes. We actually made it. We did it.'

A: It was a disappointment not making it to the next day but we played our best. I'm hoping to win at least one of our matches at state this time. That would be really nice. But just being there as a team will be a great experience.