TENNIS

Senior spotlight: East's top singles player Sami Miles holds high expectations

Tim Johnson
USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
Wausau East No. 1 singles player Sami Miles is off to a 12-2 start this Fall in her senior season with the Lumberjacks

WAUSAU -Sami Miles fell just short of her goal of a second-straight trip to the WIAA state girls individual tennis tournament last season. 

She entered her senior season with the focus of not feeling that disappointment again. 

The Lumberjacks' No. 1 singles player spent the summer working with coaches, playing in tournaments and just getting time in on the court to sharpen her game with the goal of making it to Madison and the Nielsen Tennis Center for the first time since her freshman season. 

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"It is senior year so there is a lot riding on it, and I kind of put a lot of pressure on myself," Miles said Monday afternoon during the Lumberjacks' Wisconsin Valley Conference dual meet with Merrill . "I have put some high expectations on myself."

Sami 
Miles

Miles, who entered Thursday with a 12-2 record this year, sat down with USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin to talk about her tennis goals, a unique talent and a fondness for Snickers candy bars during matches among other topics. 

Do you have a nickname or what does your family, friends/teammates call you?

My parents call me 'Stir Fry' and 'Slammer.' My mom sometimes calls me 'Fred' which doesn't really make any sense but I kind of go by whatever.

Do you have any hidden talents or is there something that people might not know about you?

I can talk with my mouth closed. That's probably one of the cooler things about me. I don't do it that often and I don't even know how I figured it out.

What has your most memorable sports moment been?

Definitely two years ago playing at (individual) sectionals in the match to make it to state. The year before I didn't make it (to state) and last year I didn't. But we went into a tiebreak and I wasn't playing my best tennis because I tend to get really uptight and nervous but I came through and won (the match) and it was like a huge weight off my shoulders. It made the past 12 or so years of playing tennis all worth it. It's a feeling I'm trying to get back this year. 

What has been your most embarrassing sports moment?

Last year in soccer. We were playing (Wausau) West and not doing so well and I remember going up for a header and completely missed (the ball) and fell over. It was a game in which stands were packed and people are cheering your name. That was probably pretty embarrassing but you just keep going and playing. 

Do you have any pre-match superstitions or rituals?

I like to eat Snickers bars while I play. Not really before a match but if I am down or I feel like I'm losing my energy, my parents will bring me a Snickers or my coach will in between games. It's probably more of a mental thing that it helps get my energy going again but I usually find that it helps me. 

Are there certain teammates you are going to miss after this year?

Savannah Carroll. She is a sophomore and I have been playing tennis with her for so many years and is someone I always play against in practice. She gets me going and knows a lot about me. In some ways i think she is a mini-me and I know she is going to take over my position (at No. 1 singles) next year. 

Who is your celebrity crush?

Justin Bieber or Leonardo DiCaprio.

If you could go anywhere, what is your dream vacation?

Greece or Australia. 

What is your dream career? 

I am looking to go into the medical field and be a (physician assistant) right now, but that could change. My dream job would be to open a bakery because that would be so fun, but I'm not even good at baking.

SAMI MILES

School: Wausau East

Favorite sport: it's hard to compare the two because tennis is more of an individual sport and in soccer there are a lot of other components and teammates to rely on. But tennis is probably (the favorite) because I have been playing it so long and it is what I know and am comfortable with. 

Favorite college or pro athletes: Serena Williams because she is the greatest woman to ever play (tennis), or Roger Federer because he is just amazing and at another level. 

Favorite music group or artist: Bruno Mars and Justin Bieber. 

Favorite TV show: "Grey's Anatomy" and I just started "Game of Thrones"

Favorite movie: "The Notebook," and I also really like horror movies. 

Favorite meal: Ribs that my dad makes on the grill with mashed potatoes and grilled corn.