Connor Pietris '25 Recruiting Profile

My name is Connor Pietris and I am in my junior year at Severna Park High School in Anne Arundel County Maryland. I am an honors and AP student who maintains a high GPA with a rigorous course load. Severna Park High School varsity tennis team is a highly competitive program. I have had the privilege of being on the varsity team since freshman year earning a top seed and placing 3^rd in doubles for county championships during my freshman year. As a member of the varsity tennis team, we have earned two consecutive county championships.

Since the age of five, I have loved tennis. When I step onto the court, I immediately fall into a mindset where I can forget about everything else going on in the world and become laser-focused on my goals for the match. Since that young age, I have been fortunate to have consistent training from great coaches. Currently, I train at JTCC in College Park, MD. For years, I focused on fundamental skills. I started playing competitively in tournaments and for my high school over the last few years. I have really enjoyed playing competitively. As I prepare for college to achieve my goals in life, I am excited at the opportunity to play at the collegiate level.

I have developed a solid understanding of the game. I work hard so that I can rely on fundamentals during match play and have developed a solid mental game, which is a necessity in tennis. Sometimes, a point or a game does not go your way. Sometimes, you feel confident that you can beat your opponent. Either way, I fall into my competitive mindset and work hard to play to the best ability and learn from my mistakes.

I still recall being nervous about trying out for my high school varsity tennis team. I worked hard to become one of the top seeds because I knew that the lower seeds would not be able to compete for the team in matches. I was fortunate to have secured a spot in the lineup as a freshman. I still remember my first home match against one of the local rival schools. I was playing an upperclassman who was college-bound to play tennis. I remember just focusing on the fundamentals that I worked so hard to make second nature, maintaining a calm demeanor, and keeping my mental game positive. The match went to a tiebreak. When I won the final point, the crowd erupted. Being so focused on every point, I had not realized that as the match went on, many of the other players, families, and other students came to watch. I appreciated the cheering and encouragement as the match progressed but had not realized how the crowd grew. I just stayed focused, stuck to my fundamentals, and played with tenacity. It was a good feeling to win, but I was more proud of how I stuck to my game and didn’t get overwhelmed with the matchup.

I have learned many things by being on my tennis team. While it is important to compete well in a singles or doubles match, it is just as important to cheer someone else on during their match. I have worked hard to be a good teammate, team leader, and friend. Since having more exposure to playing doubles, I have learned the balance of maintaining my own mental toughness while also cheering on and helping my partner play to their best ability. Recently, I have started to coach younger players. I did not realize how much I would gain from this endeavor personally. I enjoy helping instill the love of the sport in the younger players and watching them develop new skills. While trying to model good habits and demonstrate leadership, I have also learned how best to be coachable myself. It is so important to listen and take constructive criticism graciously. I appreciate when I receive feedback so that I can continue to progress as a player.

When not on the court or in the classroom, I volunteer at my local church, Saint John the Evangelist, to help give back to my community through the food pantry. I have enjoyed helping others when they need a little extra help in their lives.

Athleticism is also essential in the game of tennis. I stick to a healthy diet, get good rest at night, and cross-train off the court. I go to the gym several times a week and run regularly to maintain endurance. I have been pushed physically due to my playing varsity tennis since freshman year. Playing up means you have to be that much smarter and stronger to stay competitive. Perseverance is a character trait that tennis innately develops and it has helped me both on and off the court.

For my next chapter, I am looking to find a college that will continue to push me academically as well as allow me to continue to grow a game that has meant so much to me my whole life. Tennis gives me joy, passion, and focus and I hope to find a home in an institution that values the same traits that I value in myself so that I can grow as a person and give back to a community that has given me so much.