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Lecanto's Nisha Shah carries a well-rounded game into the No. 1 spot.
By KEITH NIEBUHR, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times, published February 12, 2003
LECANTO -- Nisha Shah's serve is solid and her shots are crisp. She can burn an opponent from either side and is as comfortable at the net as she is on the baseline.
Balance is the key to her success.
"I pretty much enjoy everything," said Shah, a Lecanto junior. "It's hard to say what my strengths and weaknesses are. In tennis, you pretty much have to be good at every part."
While playing No. 4 singles as a ninth-grader in 2001, Shah helped lead her team to the state tournament by going 16-2. Last season, the Panthers again reached state as Shah went unbeaten at No. 2 and was a district champion.
"She's full of energy," Lecanto coach Joan Roberts said. "And she's very competitive.
"She really gives it her all. She's not going to hold back, and she isn't going to quit -- even if she's behind."
Falling behind has not been a problem.
Shah did not lose a set during the 2002 regular season.
This year, she finds herself in unfamiliar territory. Because of her stellar play and the transfer of Jennifer Rimes to Crystal River, Shah has moved into the No. 1 spot for Lecanto, traditionally the county's best team.
"She really has a challenging year ahead of her," Roberts said. "Any No. 1 player has to play the best of the best every match. But she has played in a lot of tournaments and has worked toward it.
"Her game has picked up. She's much more of an all-around player now, and she has a lot of confidence in her game."
Shah prepared for the season by playing in United State Tennis Association events during the offseason. She joined the school weightlifting team to add muscle to her 5-foot-3 frame and spent more time running and swimming.
"Last year, I worked out for endurance," Shah said. "This year, I wanted to concentrate on my strength. I always lifted weights, but I had never done it so hard-core before."
Shah, who has a 4.38 GPA, is among the area's more cerebral players. She hits high-percentage shots and uses her energy to wear down opponents.
"She's pretty good at reading a player," Roberts said. "She understands the game."
Shah also understands her new role.
"I'm not nervous," she said. "It's going to be a lot harder, but I'm just going to try to do my best, just like I did last year. I think I've improved.
"I believe in myself a lot more than I did last year."