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Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2008

Ceres tennis star tested, ready

Harden faced top-tier foes over the summer to improve own game

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CERES — McKenzy Harden decided not to count wins and losses this summer, which was only logical considering the schedule awaiting the Ceres High junior.

"I needed to find out just where I stood compared with other players," the Valley Oak League's defending singles champion said. "The way to do that was to face the best players I could find."

Her itinerary included a professional tournament in Modesto and an all-star amateur event in Utah, and both served a purpose.

Harden got knocked around in both tournaments, but her focus was on her own play rather than how far she advanced.

"Being on the court with girls of that caliber raises the level of your play because it forces you to adapt," said the 5-foot-3-inch Harden, who gave up five inches or more to many opponents. "It's a disadvantage, being shorter, but there are ways to counter it."

Harden learned to keep return shots low, forcing taller foes to reach down, and the importance of driving balls deep in the court.

"My size makes me a counterpuncher," Harden said. "I'll play someone else's pace, but I'm always looking for a weakness in their game or a spot on the court they'll have trouble covering."

Such opportunities were rare this summer, but should be available when she returns to the court this fall to play high school matches.

Harden was 33-0 in the regular season last fall, leading Ceres to second place in league, before she lost in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division II quarterfinals.

A priority this year is to recognize point-winning shots before they materialize, using two or three shots to drive a player to a spot on the court and then firing a shot the other direction. She's been working on a swinging volley, plucking the ball out of the air rather than waiting for it to hit and bounce toward her.

"Taking it out of the air gives me a quicker return shot," Harden said. "It puts them on the defensive, they have to prepare for a quick return, and it allows me to play a more aggressive game."

It decreases the likelihood of foes attacking the net because, the plan goes, they'll be positioning themselves for her quick return. If Harden can extend points, she believes, she can exploit her consistency and lateral movement.

"I think my greatest strength is the ability to focus on a point, just being relentless," said Harden, who has a 3.7 GPA and is captain of the school's dance team. "That's the OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder) coming out. I've got to put everything into what I'm doing, or I don't do it."