A year after she was eliminated as a freshman in the state semifinals, Munster girls tennis player Priyanka Tallamraju was undeniable in her championship quest as a sophomore.
She beat Brebeuf Jesuit’s Chloe Wendowski, 6-0, 0-6, 6-0, in the individual state finals on June 13.
Now, the Munster star spoke with the IndyStar about her state title win and motivations as a tennis player. She is the latest Indiana high school athlete to be featured in our Athlete of the Year Q&A series.
Her responses have been edited for clarity, length and style.
Question: How would you describe the journey it took to win your first state title?
Answer: “In the beginning of the season some matches weren’t as competitive but as the season went on there was greater matches and it kind of prepared me for that final match. I had to play really good players and I really had to think about how to play — which I wasn’t really do in the beginning of the season.”
Question: Did you feel any pressure going into state as a sophomore?
Answer: “I mean, kind of. I’m not really used to playing in front of big crowds. Last year when I was a freshman at state, I wasn’t really prepared for that so I knew coming in that I had be ready for all the cheering and how loud it would be. I was feeling a little bit of nerves from the pressure of that, but other than that, not really.”
Question: You lost to eventual champion, Samaya Smith, as a freshman at state. How much did that motivate you and help you grow as a player?
Answer: “That definitely gave me the experience I needed to win state. She was a great player. I never played her before. That was my first time, and she was really athletic and a really good player, so that definitely made me realize that I could come back stronger the next year. I wanted to win way more than I did my freshman year.”
Question: What do you enjoy most about tennis?
Answer: “The fact that it’s kind of on you on the court. I do like being alone. It’s up to you to find a way to win and compete hard. To find your opponent’s weaknesses. I don’t have to let down anyone, usually, so I do like when it’s only you on the court.”
Question: What keeps you motivated as a player?
Answer: “It’s both my family and teammates. My dad, he put so much time and effort into my tennis career. Like money and traveling costs, so that’s definitely one of my motivators. I want to prove all of the time, money and effort that goes into this could be useful and valid. Also, my teammates are always there for me. Even though I didn’t have many people watch me at state, I definitely could hear them. I felt them there when I was playing. It was very special for me because they came for me and watched me, so it was really nice of them.”
Question: You were the Munster’s first singles state champion since 2009. What does it mean to represent the school in that way?
Answer: “It’s amazing. I knew that’s what I wanted to do as soon as I stepped foot into Munster high school. I really wanted to represent my school somehow and I’m glad I was able to do it on the state’s biggest stage.”
Marc Ray is a high school sports reporter at the IndyStar. He can be reached at marc.ray@indystar.com , and on X, formerly Twitter, at @themarcszn.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Q&A: Munster girls tennis player Priyanka Tallamraju talks state title win, dad’s support
Reporting by Marc Ray, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Marc Ray, Indianapolis Star | USA TODAY Network
