Molly Lacroix stepped onto the North Branford High School campus as a rookie to the sport of tennis, yet with only two full seasons under her belt with the girls’ tennis team, she has emerged on the other side rather quickly as a full-fledged veteran standout on the court and superb leader off of it.

The T-Birds senior started dancing at the age of 5 and participated in it until her freshman year, upon which time she traversed to the tennis courts, and then rapidly earned a starting slot as a sophomore for North Branford as a doubles player.

This season, Molly is not only a senior captain of the T-Birds’ squad, but she has also ascended into playing the second singles’ slot for North Branford.

“I love that tennis is more of an individual sport, and I also love that it is unpredictable. You have to rely on your own technique versus how it is with other sports,” says Molly. “I have had a lot of practice in the offseason and winter practices indoors with other coaches. [North Branford girls’ tennis Head Coach Elisabeth Caplan] pushes everyone to get better. Many of us were new to the sport when we got here, so she focuses on us having fun and us being confident. My confidence in myself and what I have learned within the sport has helped me.”

One of those items Molly has mastered is the mental game of the sport and how pivotal it is towards success. She explains that the bounce of the ball and the backhand of an adversary is something you can not predetermine, so it is best to have an open mind in the heat of battle.

“The mentality is different for everyone, but I try to have a clear mind out there with whatever the opponent throws at me,” Molly says. “I also sing a song in my head to help me regroup if needed. You cannot have a set plan in your head out there. I am also always thinking positively, because it is a sport that is never over until the last ball lands.”

Possessing matches on both sides of the equation, Molly mentions that playing with a partner can certainly serve as a morale boost. Conversely, she does enjoy the accountability aspect of going on with a solo act, especially when it comes to making corrections.

“I started in doubles as a sophomore and then moved to singles last year, so I have seen both sides,” says Molly. “Doubles is more helpful with someone who can help coach you and cheer you on. With singles, it is more of everything being on you and you have to focus and work through any difficulties on your own. I like singles better, because it all comes down to you, and so it is easier to fix mistakes.”

Caplan commends her captain for not only her fortitude with tennis, but additionally how she carries herself with class, commitment, and high character all around each facet of the North Branford campus.

“Molly is a very hard worker and always leads by example. She makes a great teammate and captain by supporting her teammates on and off the court,” says Caplan. “She is also a leader in our school community and is respected by students and staff. Molly has worked off season to improve her game; this year she is playing at No. 2 singles. Starting tennis as a sophomore is not easy, and this is something she has earned through hard work, perseverance, and tenacity. I have known Molly a long time and have enjoyed watching her mature into someone who is the consummate teammate and leader.”

Speaking to her coach’s sentiments, Molly further details that the sport has not only helped her emerge as a more vocal force, but it also made her a more well-rounded person by helping her foster fruitful friendships with teammates.

“Tennis pushed me out of my comfort zone. It brought me closer with people I would not have otherwise met, which has been great,” Molly says. “We all started in high school with the sport, so it was about working hard and trying our best. It is a long sport; you can go right from school to a match that could go until 8 p.m. Yet it is all worth it and making connections with everyone in the sport.”

Molly’s diligence carried her through what some could observe as quite a nerve-racking experience in performing as a starting sophomore. She knew that putting in the reps, having an inquiring mind, and finding her flow helped her settle into a sport that she aims to keep at well beyond graduating from T-Birds’ territory.

“I remember my first match as a sophomore like it was yesterday,” says Molly. “It was a terrifying experience; I was not confident in my ability back then. But I was able to get over the nerves by working at it in practices and asking questions. Getting into a rhythm and routine was also big for me, too. Coach Caplan focuses on the fact that this is something we can play forever, and I plan on playing for either a college team or club sport.”