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Lennard Player Hopes To Ace Senior Season

JOHN CEBALLOS/Tribune photo

Jovina Varrati is a senior at Lennard High School and a member of the varsity girls' tennis team. She hopes to attend the University of South Florida next year and study engineering.

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By JOHN CEBALLOS, The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 20, 2008

RUSKIN - Sometimes things get more than a little stressful for senior Jovina Varrati, as she wraps up final year at Lennard High School and prepares for college.

Fortunately, she's found a release for that pressure.

"The main reason I love tennis is because it really helps to relieve my stress," Varrati said. "You get to be outside doing something athletic and the weather's usually nice - what's not to like?"

Varrati has been an important member of the Lennard High School girls tennis team since its inception last year.

"She's like an assistant coach and sort of a teacher on the court," said head coach Clinton Inman. "That's been really important because some of the girls on the team had never even been on a tennis court before.

"I'm going to miss her when she moves on next year."

Varrati, 17, hopes to attend the University of South Florida to study engineering.

"I'm the kind of person who's always looking for new challenges and I'm really looking forward to next year," she said.

Last spring, she thought tennis would be a challenge and tried out for the team.

"She's been outstanding, and not just on the court," Inman said. "She has developed a really strong camaraderie with the players."

The Sundance resident will leave behind a varied high school career, which also included a two-year stint in Lennard's band as a French horn and trumpet player.

In the immediate future, Varrati is looking forward to enjoying her last several months in high school as well as the upcoming tennis season, which began Feb. 11 with a loss at Robinson High School.

"I like that it's an individual sport, but there's still a team aspect involved, and that everyone has to do well for the team to succeed," Varrati said. "I'm very excited about this season."

GET TO KNOW

WHO: Jovina Varrati

AGE: 17

SCHOOL: Lennard High School

GRADE: 12th

SPORTS: Tennis

PLANS: Wants to attend the University of South Florida and study engineering

Reporter John Ceballos can be reached at (813) 865-1555 or jceballos@tampatrib.com.

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