There was a time when Washington Township's Janel Eldridge didn't want to play tennis.
Now she's the leader of a team with its sights on the South Jersey Group 4 title.
Eldridge started playing tennis as an elementary school student. Her mother played the sport. So did her three brothers.
She disliked it right away.
"I thought it was a boring sport," Eldridge said. "My parents never thought I would play. I didn't like it at all."
That changed when Eldridge was in seventh grade. She started to improve. She started to like tennis.
Now, Eldridge is a senior at No. 1 singles for Washington Township, the No. 3 seed in the South Jersey Group 4 tournament. She won her match by a 6-3, 6-4 score as the Minutemaids (11-2) opened the sectional tournament Thursday with a 41/2-1/2 victory over Toms River East.
Question: How would you describe your style as a tennis player?
Answer: I play mostly from the baseline. I come to the net when I can, but usually I stay back. I'm more comfortable just trying to return everything.
Q: Do you hope to play tennis in college?
A: If I go to a smaller school, I might try to play. If I go to a big school, I might play club or something like that.
Q: Do you know what you would like to study?
A: I'm thinking early education because I really like working with kids. But it changes every day, so I might go in as undecided.
Q: What's your favorite subject in school?
A: English. I like to read.
Q: Who is your favorite author?
A: Sarah Dessen. Her books are so down to earth. You feel like you're part of the story.
Q: Who has been the biggest inspiration in your life?
A: Probably my grandmom [Rose Jarvis]. She's such a strong person. I look at how she's lived her life and it's an inspiration to me.
Q: What's the outlook for the Washington Township team in the tournament?
A: I can't wait. We've done so well this year, and I didn't expect that at all. We lost four seniors last year, and I never thought we'd do this well. It's been great.
Contact staff writer Phil Anastasia at 856-779-3223, panastasia@phillynews.com,
or @PhilAnastasia on Twitter.
