For Ashlyn Thompson, from the time she first stepped on a tennis court as a fifth grader, it’s been about a lot of love, but also a lot of work.

This past fall, though, it’s also been about a lot of success.

Thompson, who is homeschooled and living in the Geneva school district, took the Eagles’ first singles court by storm this fall.

Making the jump from third singles a year ago, the junior posted a record of 20-4.

She took second place at first singles in the Ashtabula County Tennis Tournament, and finished the season one match shy of advancing to the Division II district tournament at Strongsville.

For her success, Thompson has been named Ashtabula County Girls Tennis Co-Player of the Year, with Saint John’s Maggie Hoza, as voted on by the county coaches.

The success Thompson had this season only enhances her love for the game.

“Holy Moly,’ she said with a massive smile over winning the award. “It means a lot to me to be able to do it as just a junior is an accomplishment I’m very proud of.”

She achieved the honor by dedicating herself to the game over the past five to six years by watching tennis on TV, by practicing long hours, and by listening and learning from several different coaches in the area.

None of that was difficult, though, because of how much she enjoyed what she was doing.

“I loved the sport from the beginning, but I had to put in a lot of work,” Thompson said. “Once I got to a point, I loved the game, and I wanted to join my local tennis team. I loved the girls I played with, I loved my coaches, I just loved everything about it.”

Thompson said she learned the game “from scratch.” She credits coaches like Scott Torok and Michael Rose at Geneva, along with others like Spencer Selman, Todd Nassief, and Louis Murphy.

“I’ve had so many amazing coaches over the years,” she said. “They taught me the game, taught me strategy, and taught me sportsmanship, which is very important.to me. I had to condition a lot, but yeah, I just had to start from scratch and work my way up.”

Rose said “She has grown tremendously in maturity not only as a player, but also as a leader. I was very impressed with what we call her tactical mind. Even when she’s not having her best day, she’s such a great thinker on the court, and she comes up with a plan to beat her opponent on the court.”

Thompson played third singles as a sophomore, so she bypassed second singles to play first singless for the Eagles.

It may have seemed like a big leap to take, but Thompson said she just took the same approach that she’s gone with since learning the game as a fifth grader.

“The year before, I was a little bit intimidated,” she said. “I just realized that I’m just going to go play my best, go out and hit like I normally do, and not think about the placement of where I am on the court. That doesn’t matter, just go out and play and have fun.”