Every Spring, Middle States honors the recipients of the prior year’s awards. The 2015 award recipients were announced in mid-January. Among the various junior awards is the Sportsmanship Award, which recognizes a boy and girl junior player in each age division who displays extraordinary sportsmanship at that various tournaments and events he or she participates in throughout the year.

For the Girls’ 14s age division, Allegheny Mountain District’s Marlo Schiffman was selected through recommendations from tournament directors.

Get to know Marlo:

Started playing tennis: 5 years old

Involvement: She is currently involved in Sectional and National tournaments.

Favorite player: Serena Williams because of her deep desire to be the best, which is why she is the number one player in the world.

Favorite food: Lamb chops

Pre-match ritual: to stretch and bounce on the balls of her feet

Most interesting thing in her bag: a key chain her coach gave her from Nigeria

Favorite tennis memory: when she went to Florida and got a chance to see Venus Williams practice while her dad observed

Why she loves tennis: “I love to play because of my will of wanting to be the best tennis player that has ever stepped onto the court. The thrill and excitement of the game is what drives me to be the best.”

For more information on junior tennis in Middle States, click here.