DAILEY'S DUTY

LAKEWOOD RANCH — Three years ago, Caroline Dailey walked onto the tennis court in Sanford and was surrounded by age and experience.

Three days later, the then-Out-of-Door Academy eighth-grader walked off the court an individual state champion, capturing the Class 1A No. 1 singles title in her first state tournament appearance.

“I was young, and everyone was shocked that I won,” Dailey said. “This is high school, and you usually play against high school students. I thought that was pretty cool to be able to win as an eighth-grader and beat seniors.”

Since then, Dailey has proven time and again that experience doesn’t necessarily come with age. Dailey followed her state title with a second individual state title. And now in her sophomore season, the three-time district champion is vying for her third consecutive state title.

On April 18-20, Daily once again competed in the Class 1A state tournament in Sanford. Results from the state tournament were unavailable as of press time Tuesday. For complete results on Dailey’s state tournament run visit www.YourObserver.com.

“It’s awesome,” Dailey said of being able to compete for a third state title. “Obviously, it’s my goal for high school tennis. I’ve set the bar so high. It’s just my goal to make it every year and play more and more efficiently.

“It’s just exciting for me,” she said. “It’s exciting to think that I’ve been able to do this every year, and hopefully I’ll continue to be able to.”

Pro Set
Dailey began playing tennis when she about 5 years old after watching her older brother, Austin, pick up a racket. She began hitting a ball against her garage with a racket ball racket before finally stepping onto the court when she was 5 years old.

She played in her first local tennis tournament the following year. Since then, she’s had only one goal: to become a professional tennis player.

“I can’t remember when I never thought of it like that,” Dailey said.

Dailey trains five to six days a week with Mike Wilson at the Longwood Athletic Center.

“It’s a sacrifice, but it’s definitely worth it, and it’s going to pay off,” Dailey said. “Sometimes, I wish maybe I could play another sport for the school, but then I think in the long run, it wouldn’t do anything for me with tennis.”

When she’s not training, Dailey is busy playing in tournaments or helping lead the Lady Thunder.

Although she doesn’t train with the ODA girls tennis team, Dailey is required to play in four matches to qualify for the district tournament. Dailey typically picks those matches, which will either provide her with good competition or district matches where she can help her team win.

“It’s different just to know that obviously I’m playing for myself, but my win gets put toward the final score,” Dailey said.

The 16-year-old currently remains undefeated in high school singles tennis matches.

After capturing her first state title as an eighth-grader, Dailey admits she put pressure on herself to defend her title.

“It was a little tougher for me mentally, and I put this pressure on myself that I’m expected to win,” Dailey said. “I played a little tight in some of my matches, but then I settled in. It should’ve been easier last year because I improved so much, but with the mental aspect and the pressure I put on myself, it was a little harder.”

On April 12, Dailey took a break from high school competition to compete in the Women’s 25,000 — her first professional tennis tournament. Dailey, who won her way into the main draw last month, took Erika Sema, ranked 191st in the world, to three sets before losing 7-5.

“It was definitely an eye-opener to know that at 16, I’m right there with No. 191 in the world,” Dailey said.

“And with age and more practice, I (see) where I can be when I step out to do this as my career.”

Contact Jen Blanco at [email protected].