Merion Mercy Academy’s Ashley Gomes is Main Line Girls Athlete of the Week
The Merion Mercy Academy freshman captured the PIAA District 1 2A girls’ tennis singles title, defeating Golden Bears’ senior Chloe Abramowitz in the championship final, 6-0, 6-0. Off the court, she participates in Mercy Works and Spanish Club at Merion Mercy Academy.
Q: You mentioned that your best match of the PIAA District 1 2A singles tournament was the championship final against teammate Chloe Abramowitz. What was working particularly well for you that day, and what is your most vivid memory of the championship final?
A: My ball placement and groundstrokes were working very well for me that day. My most vivid memory of the championship final was in the first game of the second set. It was 40-30 in the game, and I was serving. I remember getting a short ball that I was able to hit a crosscourt angle on. I remember this shot most of all because it had taken a funny bounce, but I was still able to win the point.
Q: Tell us a little about the biggest challenge you faced during the first six months of the COVID-19 pandemic regarding keeping your game in shape, and how you dealt with that challenge.
A: The biggest challenge that I faced during the first six months of COVID-19 regarding my game was not being able to go out and practice. During that time at home, I was still able to do some fitness exercises. Doing this helped me to build back up my endurance for when I could go out and practice again.
Q: What do you think is the strongest part of your game? What part of your game have you worked on the most recently?
A: I think the strongest part of my game is my groundstrokes. I have recently worked on my serve to improve placement.
Q: Who are your favorite tennis players? Do you try to pattern your game after any of them?
A: My favorite tennis players are Serena Williams and Naomi Osaka. Both of these tennis players have an aggressive style of play, and that is something that I am trying to incorporate into my game.
Q: Tell us a little about your start in tennis. Who have been your top tennis mentors, and what was the most important thing you learned from each of them?
A: When I was around 8 years old, I started playing tennis for fun with some of my friends. I really started to enjoy playing and decided that I wanted to take tennis more seriously, so I started taking lessons. My top tennis mentors have been Tremayne Mitchell and Mary Coleman. Tremayne has been my private coach for the past two years. In this time, he has really helped me to improve different aspects of my game such as my groundstrokes, ball placement, and consistency. I have been working with Mary for the past couple of months. She has been helping me to improve my serve. One important thing that both of them have taught me is not to give up and keep working hard.
Q: Tell us a little about your pre-match preparation the day of a match.
A: My pre-match preparation consists of waking up early and eating a good breakfast. Right before matches I like to stretch and listen to music. Stretching helps to loosen me up and the music helps me to relax.
Q: What is your favorite tennis venue, and why?
A: My favorite tennis venue would be the High Performance Tennis Academy in Bala Cynwyd, because they have indoor hard courts and this is where I practice.
Q: What is your favorite course at Merion Mercy? Is there a career path that particularly appeals to you at the present time?
A: My favorite courses at Merion Mercy would be Language Arts and History. As of now, law is a career choice that appeals to me.
Fun facts – Ashley Gomes
Favorite book: Between Shades of Gray.
Favorite TV show: Jane the Virgin.
Favorite movie: The Parent Trap.
Favorite athlete: Naomi Osaka.
Favorite team: Philadelphia Eagles.
Favorite pre-match meal: Turkey hoagie.
Family members: parents Marvin and Veena, brother Shane.
(To be selected as Main Line Girls Athlete of the Week, a student-athlete must first be nominated by their coach.)
