With the perfect amount of top spin, Chloe Shyu makes her opponent scramble from the left to the right side of the tennis court. Her opponent barely returns the ball. Now back on Shyu’s side, she lands a hit with a powerful forehand. By the time the ball bounces twice, her opponent hasn’t recovered from the previous play and is still halfway across the court. Shyu scores a point.
Shyu plays No. 2 singles on the girls’ varsity tennis team, an impressive feat, especially as a freshman. This role alone demonstrates the immense skill she possesses. Head coach Manuel Davila noted Shyu’s consistency as a powerful point of her game: “She excels at placing the ball in difficult places for her opponents to reach.”
In a recent game against La Serna High School, Shyu won with set scores of 6-2, 6-2 and 6-1 in a best-of-3 match, illustrating her ability not only to compete but also to dominate against older competition. Sophomore teammate Celine Chao commented on Shyu: “As a player, Shyu’s experience shows. She is ruthless and hits every ball with precision and determination.”
Early in her high school career, she has already served as a valuable member of the team, demonstrating a notable ability to perform, and will continue to accomplish even more throughout her time at Poly.
Despite being a freshman, Shyu has already solidified her presence on the court with her natural talent and resilience beyond her years. While her technical abilities have earned her key wins thus far in the season, it’s her positivity and dedication to the team that truly set her apart. She brings unwavering energy and encouragement to every match, helping the team to keep focused and connected. 
 Her work ethic has stood out and is defining the type of athlete she is, helping her get better every day. Sophomore Vanessa Lin said, “Chloe consistently shows hard work and lots of effort.” Shyu’s strong work ethic and determination will be key to her success in the future, hopefully helping her accomplish many great things as a Panther.
Beyond that, she embodies the learning spirit of an underclassman. Sophomore Mira Mavis said, “[She is] pretty new to the concept of high school tennis, [so she’s] eager and motivated.” With a desire to learn and a sense of respect for what they can offer, Shyu will be able to grow immensely from the opportunities to practice alongside upperclassmen. Whether picking up a new shot from one of her teammates or learning from someone else’s mental toughness, it will be exciting to see how the legacies of the upperclassmen are passed down to her, shaping the player she becomes and inspiring how she leads.
With her already advanced skill level, a productive work ethic and growth-oriented characteristics, Shyu will contribute to the direction of the tennis program and its culture, leading the team to new heights.