Winthrop’s Kristy Parvanta qualifies for the state singles round for the third time.
By Bob McPhee
Staff Writer

WINTHROP – Kristy Parvanta is breaking new ground for Mountain Valley Conference girls’ tennis players.

The Winthrop High School senior and four-year starter is believed to be the first MVC performer to have qualified for the state singles round of 40 three times during a career. She’ll make her third trip to the competition Saturday at Bates College.

Parvanta currently enjoys a 21-match winning streak against MVC opponents and has lost only a handful of games this spring.

“I like to see what a player does and does not like to do in a match when we’re warming up,” Parvanta said. “From there, I can pick my style of play. I usually like to hit solid strokes from the baseline, but when needed, I will attack the net and see what happens from there.”

Although her individual efforts are impressive, Parvanta is more concerned with helping her Winthrop team sweep the conference, regional and state titles.

The Ramblers are currently unbeaten.

“This season I’m going strong,”Parvanta said. “I’m hoping to keep my undefeated record along with my team.”

Parvanta is focusing on improving her forehand, which was already the dominant shot in her repertoire. Recently, a booming first serve has been keeping opponents back on their heels. If a deep serve is returned, Parvanta can volley by switching to a strong backhand.

“Kristy hits the ball hard,” Winthrop coach Wilbur Shardlow said. “I think one thing that helped her get serious was not qualifying for the state tournament as a sophomore. She made it as a freshman, but took things too lightly the next year and wasn’t prepared for the level of competition. Now Kristy understands what she needs to do in certain situations, and you can expect to see her utilize her strengths.”

Parvanta has been playing tennis since she was five years old, because she wanted to join older siblings Adam, Sarah and Angie. Her father Abe coached her until high school, and now Shardlow has taught her the finer points of the game.

“Tennis is basically a mental game,” Parvanta said. “Either you have it, or you don’t and you’ll lose. I have matured so much through playing this game. I realize now that wining personally isn’t everything. It is a team effort, and everyone has to work hard. I have also learned that you aren’t born with skill. You have to work at it. With tennis you learn a great deal of patience, which has helped me out immensely.”

Parvanta plans to attend the University of Maine and study sports management. Unfortunately, Maine doesn’t have a tennis team, but Parvanta intends to keep playing either intramurals or at a club in Bangor. After a year in Orono, she said she may transfer to a school with a tennis program.

In addition to tennis, Parvanta played soccer, basketball and ice hockey in her high school career. She ranks 19th of 86 with a 3.75 GPA, in a class that is highly competitive when it comes to academics.

“I am proud of what I have accomplished in school and activities,” Parvanta said. ” I just try to keep my head on. (On the court), I just stay focused on my strokes and serve and getting that state championship, and I think that is what drives me.”

Parvanta also credits Shardlow with helping mold her into an all-around player.

“Kristy is a very responsible person,” Shardlow said. “She take care of things and I believe that’s why she takes her role as a senior captain of the team so seriously.”