COACH’S GAME BALL featuring Corey Bonnette

Head Tennis Coach Brian Coxton chose Corey Bonnette as the recipient of this issue’s Game Ball.
“He’s a great kid,” Coxton said.
“He’s smart and gives his all every time he steps out on the court.”
Bonnette, a 5’9″ freshman from Silver Springs, Md., has played well to this point [as of March 19] in his first season at Winston-Salem State.
He has won each of his first six official singles matches, five in straight sets. He has also been successful in doubles matches so far with a 6-1 record.
The Rams are 5-2 overall, 4-0 in the CIAA conference, and Bonnette has had a big hand in the success. Coxton feels that the freshman has a bright future this season and beyond.
“I think he has great potential to go undefeated in our conference and possibly do some damage in our regional matches,” Coxton said.
Q: When did you start playing tennis?
Bonnette: I started playing tennis at the age of 12. My dad really got me into tennis. I used to play around with my neighbors, and it just took off from there. I started playing in tournaments and eventually got good at it.
Q: What person do you look up to most?
Bonnette: I really look up to my dad. He’s a very hard worker, and he always tells me to strive hard and be the best you can be at everything you do.
Q: How is college tennis different from high school tennis?
Bonnette: It’s a big difference. In high school, there wasn’t much competition, really, because tennis is not very big. In college, there’s competition almost every team you play.
Q: What is the strongest part of your game?
Bonnette: My strongest point is my speed and my quickness. I really rely on that. What I want to work on is the mental game. Tennis is very mental.
Q: What are your plans after WSSU?
Bonnette: I plan to get a master’s degree. I’ll be teaching tennis at the National Training Center in College Park, near where I live in Maryland.