By Meredith Ray '18

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- Women's tennis player Chelby Cooke (CC) is one of two juniors on the team this year. After a successful 2014 spring season playing at the No. 2 spot in singles and doubles for the Broncos, the Bakersfield, Calif. native looks to continue that stride while taking on more of a leadership role. Santa Clara Broncos (SCB) sat down with Cooke to talk about her tennis beginnings, her summer and future post-grad plans. 

SCB: When did you first start playing tennis?

CC: I started playing tennis when I was eight, which is actually pretty late for most competitive players. My older brother and sister both played, so I had a lot of exposure from watching their lessons and then transitioned into having my own.

SCB: You're one of two juniors on the tennis team. How has your leadership position changed this year? 

CC: The leadership is not quite as established as it has been in the past because we don't have any seniors, but that has made everyone step into more of a leadership role which has been good since half of our team is new this year and everyone is now responsible for making the new girls acclimated and adjusted to being a student-athlete at this level.

SCB: Both of your parents played collegiate sports at Colgate. Did they affect your decision to play tennis at SCU?

CC: Yes, they have always encouraged and supported my athletics. My older brother and sister both played tennis in college as well, and all my siblings and I have been multi-sport athletes growing up. We have always been really competitive with each other and our parents have instilled in all of us the values of playing on a team and at a high level.