Arnold leading High Point tennis

SUSSEX BOROUGH — Due to the grit and determination that it takes time and again to compete at the singles level, it takes a unique student-athlete to be a first singles player at the varsity level.
Add to that the pressure that comes with being a responsible, well-respected team captain and you it’s understand just why Spencer Arnold, a senior, is a standout at High Point High School.
“I chose Spencer as captain because I saw a lot of the same characteristics that I had when playing tennis at High Point as he does while playing," High Point coach Michael DiBerardino said. “The determination to get better, win, and passion for the sport really stands out and he has great communication skills which is key in a captain. He is a leader to his team and he shows it on and off the court."
DiBerardino has noticed that Arnold has worked consistently to become better on the court.
“I have seen Spencer’s confidence improve since the beginning of the season," DiBerardino said. “Since he went from doubles to singles from last year, he had to learn a different style of playing. At first he played very conservative, not taking chances and just making sure he was hitting it back in play.
“Now, after working in practice with him I am seeing a stronger, harder hit. He is placing the ball deeper and cross court more, making his opponent move. Spencer’s net play has also improved as he will take more chances at the net to finish out the point. At the beginning of the season you wouldn’t have seen him do this. His confidence in himself has definitely had a positive outcome of his play."
The captain is among many student-athletes on the roster who show encouragement to their teammates.
“I have seen my student-athletes give words of encouragement to other teammates to help improve," DiBerardino said. “Negativity will never do a player or a team any good. I have watched and listened to many of my players communicate with each other with words of encouragement on the court. Whether it is a comment on their nice shot or giving examples on what they should have done with their shot. All my players take everything they say to each other with a positive outlook on their game, even if it is correcting a negative aspect of their game."
Most importantly, Arnold shows leadership where it counts the most-in the classroom.
“Spencer is second in his class as a senior," DiBerardino said. “He will be graduating this year and will be attending Lehigh University where he will be studying English and Economics. He is a part of National Honors Society, Foreign Language National Honors Society and Math National Honors Society."