Athlete of the Week: Dayna Lake always finishes tennis matches with a smile

By Bill Tamburrino

Dayna Lake is the captain of the Ramona High School girls tennis team.

When asked what her job of captain entailed, Lake was careful not to use clichés.

“I must make sure that the girls on the team see that tennis is a life changing endeavor. I must instill in them that they must compete and have fun and be happy. That is what I see as my duties as captain,” she said.

Lake is a fierce competitor. Last week she won seven out of eight sets and posted three bagels in those wins. She doesn’t try to win sets. She fights to win every point. When the game, set or match is over she gives a great smile.

At age 11, Lake started playing tennis while her sister, Jillian, was playing.

“She didn’t stick with tennis but she is the reason I started,” explained Lake.

When asked if her mom, Valerie, played the sport, Lake just chuckled and said, “No.”

Asked if her dad, Marty, plays tennis, Lake replied, “Yes and he is pretty good. He is the kind of person who is pretty good at everything he does.”

The same appears to go for Lake. She had a 4.8 GPA on her last report card and has a 4.5 overall GPA out of a possible 4.0.

She hopes to attend a four year university and major in architecture and, if time allows, walk on as a tennis player. She is leaning toward UCLA and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Even if she does not play in college she is certain that tennis will be a lifetime endeavor.

“It is such an independent sport. There is a team aspect to it but one has to be mentally strong to play the sport,” she said.

Lake hopes to be the first Lady Bulldog to make it to the CIF individual tournament.

“Coach does not think that any female player has advanced to the individual tournament. I would like to be the first and do well in the tournament,” she said.

Her trademark on the court is her ever present yellow cap.

“Yellow is my color,” she noted.

Ramona’s number one Lady Bulldog singles player is having fun competing and is the

Ramona Sentinel

Athlete of the Week.