This is part of a series on athletics.covenant.edu with feature stories written by the student-athletes about their time at Covenant. The series is in conjunction with NCAA Division III week, an annual event to celebrate the accomplishments on and off the field of the student-athletes in the NCAA's largest division.
By: Lauren Carr
(Covenant '25, Women's Tennis)
To say I am grateful for my time at Covenant is an understatement. These past four years have challenged me, brought me immense joy, and given me friendships that will last a lifetime. A large part of my Covenant experience includes playing on the Women's Tennis team. When I began my college search, I was unsure whether I wanted to continue playing tennis, but after my visit to Covenant, it was clear that this was where I needed to be.
Intentional is the word I would use to describe the faculty at Covenant, and a large part of why I ended up here. From my admissions counselors to Coach Hirte to my future RA, each put in a lot of time and effort to get to know me and encourage me as I prepared to arrive in the fall. Upon my arrival, I was overwhelmed with the excitement and joy that the students and staff and faculty had for the school year ahead. While college in and of itself is a big transition, playing a sport on top of that may seem challenging, but if it wasn't for tennis I am not sure I would still be here. Coach Hirte and my teammates from the very first day were kind, caring, and patient as I adjusted to college life.
Playing tennis at Covenant has changed me for the better. In high school, one could describe me as extremely competitive, prideful, and strong-willed. My faith was not evident on the court and I did not view tennis as a means to glorify God. However, today, I can say that I am still competitive and strong-willed on the court, but I also play for more than myself. Coach Hirte has encouraged my teammates and me to always play hard but to play with an attitude and energy that points each other and our opponents back to the Lord. I have grown exponentially as a tennis player, but even more so as a follower of Christ.
Many of my favorite memories from my time at Covenant involve tennis. Fall practices in the amazing mountain weather, team dinners, spring break trips to Orlando and Texas, tight matches that we came out on top, and the best teammates are just a few of the favorites I can think of right now. From tears after tough losses to lots of laughter on long bus rides back home, I am reminded that the community at Covenant and on the tennis team is like no other.
Lastly, one of the things I most appreciate about Covenant is the commitment to our motto, "In All Things Christ Preeminent." In the classroom, the resident halls, and on the court, the goal is first and foremost to know Christ and make him known. I can sit through an entire economics lecture, go to a hall event, and play a tennis match and my love for God will have grown through the ways in which the professors, my friends, and coaches point me back to Christ. I will look back on these past four years with so much gratitude and love for this small school on Lookout Mountain, it is truly the best.
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