Steffi sets sights on national cup

Horsham rising star Steffi Mcdonald will go head to head with some of the best junior tennis players in the country after winning selection in a Victorian representative side.

Mcdonald, who attends Horsham’s St Brigid’s College, is one of 16 young stars on School Sports Victoria’s 18 and under tennis team.

Students representing schools across the country will contest the Pizzey Cup at School Sport Australia Championships in Shepparton from April 29 to May 7.

Mcdonald made the team after impressing during the selection process.

“There was a first trial, but I didn’t go to that one,” she said.

“I went to the final trial. I think there was about 20 or so of us and we were all put in pools to play against each other.”

The Victorian team comprises eight girls and eight boys, with two emergencies.

Mcdonald is no stranger to state representation, having played for School Sports Victoria’s under-13 tennis team.

She said playing in the state team was a highlight of her career to date.

“I’ve been playing since she said.

“I think I just got a tennis racquet for Christmas. So I started playing and just kept going.

“Winning pennant grand finals was also a highlight. It’s something I also wanted to do.”

Mcdonald won back-to-back Central Wimmera Tennis Association pennant premierships with St Michaels in 2015-16 and 2016-17.

She starred in the Saints’ victory over Drung South a few weeks ago, winning all three of her sets without dropping a game.

Mcdonald, who is ranked by Tennis Australia as the 249th woman in the country, said she had high ambitions in the sport. I was about five,”

“My aim is probably to try to make the top 100 in Australia,” she said.

“That would be pretty good. And maybe to play on the tour one day.”

She would also like to play tennis at a college in the United States.

“Tennis is pretty big in colleges over there,” she said. “I think it would be a lot of fun.”

Mcdonald, who is a bottom-age player in the under-18 team, said she hoped to represent Victoria again next year.

“I would love to continue on next year and play interstate,” she said.

“I really like meeting people and travelling.”

Training

With the Central Wimmera Tennis Association season drawing to a close, Mcdonald is continuing to focus on her own training.

“We have one training a week before the tournament and the rest of the time we just do our own thing,” she said.

“I usually hit with either the team, or my sister, Jess. I also go to Melbourne every two weeks to train.”

Mcdonald tournament.

“I don’t really know what to expect, because I don’t know who’s going to be playing for the other states,” she said.

“I know most of the Victorian girls. I’ve played against a couple from New South Wales and South Australia, but that’s about it. We’ll just have to wait and see.”

Mcdonald is selling raffle tickets to raise money to help fund her trip, state uniform and registration.

Students from private schools do not receive government funding to participate in the championships.

Raffle tickets are available at Forty Winks, Hair Art and Horsham Hydraulics. said she looked forward to the