Switching between tennis rackets and lacrosse sticks while balancing a job, schoolwork, and social life, Senior Keira Roberts has managed to do it all while still shining both on the court and the field. This year, she has been named female Athlete of the Year not just for her talent, but for the heart she brings to the game.
A key part of Roberts’ love for sports is helping people find enjoyment while playing tennis and lacrosse. “My biggest accomplishment as an athlete is helping people love these sports as much as I do. Seeing people happy and enjoying practice makes me feel very accomplished. I try to motivate my teammates by uplifting them and being hyped during games,” said Roberts.
While having loads of schoolwork and a job, she is still very dedicated to being an athlete. “Staying motivated to play at certain times when I have a lot going on is hard. Playing multiple sports while having a job and a social life can be very difficult to balance. Finding time for each of these activities has been something I’ve been getting much better at lately,” said Roberts.
She is also a huge positive inspiration to her teammates. “Keira brings a positive outlook for the team and motivates us after both wins and losses, and you can tell that she cares about the team a lot. She is always smiling and in a positive mood, both at practice and games, and she cheers us all on and congratulates us on each of our achievements,” said Sophomore Isabella La Fond, who is on Roberts’ Varsity Lacrosse Team.
Girls Tennis Coach Justin Nguyen describes Roberts as a lighthearted, positive player. “Keira’s energy will always be something I’ll remember. She tries to be funny, but isn’t funny, which makes her funny. But her development as a player on our team is something that I definitely will remember for years to come,” said Nguyen.
What started as a spontaneous decision with her friend turned into a journey of growth and leadership. “I was inspired by my best friend Katy, and I joined these two sports while not knowing how to play. We learned them together and have had so much fun ever since,” said Roberts.
“Keira started off as a completely new tennis player. Most of the time, newer players struggle to make it to the varsity squad unless they’re practicing outside of school. During her junior year, though, something clicked for her, and she started to really implement the techniques we taught her. By the end of the tennis season, she was one of our top players on the team,” said Nguyen.
“Keira is a hardworking team player; she never gives up and always gives every game 100 percent. She’s always bringing us up constantly on and off the field. She always has positive energy and nothing negative to say,” said Roberts’ best friend and teammate Senior Katy Schoenknecht.
Throughout Roberts’ athletic career, she’s encountered many influences, but one stands out above the rest. “My biggest role model throughout my athletic career has been a girl named Alyssa Parinas. As a freshman going into lacrosse without any knowledge, it was quite scary. But with Alyssa, I felt very included and knew I had someone to rely on,” said Roberts.
Roberts’ journey at UC High shows how hard work, dedication, and a positive spirit can lead to many achievements. From juggling sports and school to uplifting her teammates, Roberts embodies what it means to be a true leader on and off the field.