CHICAGO HEIGHTS | In some sports, such as basketball, height can be an athletic advantage. Fortunately for Marian Catholic's Gaby Rosales, that's not always so in tennis.
Her stature is small, but if an opponent thinks she has a size advantage over Rosales, she's likely to regret it.
The Spartans are having a good season, thanks in part to the 5-foot sophomore, who has posted a 19-1 record.
"I tried playing basketball but didn't like getting bounced around," Rosales said.
"Gaby does a great job of leadership, even for her young age," coach Scott Bodnar said. "She leads by what she does. She's got the talent but she's very humble."
Rosales gravitated to tennis, following her mother, who also played the sport in high school. Gaby began playing at the age of 7. Her talent and what Bodnar calls a good work ethic helped her get to the state tournament as a freshman in 2010.
"She's a very smart tennis player, works hard and is always out here practicing," Bodnar said.
As for her personal goals, Rosales wants to improve upon her intial success.
"I'd like to go further (at state) this year," she said. "I won twice and lost twice last year."
She also has aspirations to play in college, hoping to attend Notre Dame, where an older brother goes, or DePaul. Not a small goal but if Bodnar is right, one that is attainable for Rosales.
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