Freshman Taylor Gould has excelled at the number three singles position this year. Photo courtesy of Keith Peters.

Maude Frye | Staff Reporter

During her first week of high school athletics, freshman Taylor Gould became Palo Alto Online’s “Athlete of the Week” by going undefeated in her first high school tournament. Gould played number three singles for the Menlo Knights in the first annual Golden Gate Classic tennis tournament. Playing against Hawaii state champions, Punahou School, and Mira Costa High School from Southern California, in arguably one of the best high school tennis tournaments in the nation, Gould was a force to be reckoned with.

Being a new addition to the team, Gould brings an upbeat personality to the varsity girls team. “I love it when Taylor says hi to me on the quad, it really makes my day a little better,” team co-captain Alice Yao said. No matter how bad you could be playing, Gould always has something positive to say about your match.

Gould truly is a team player, and drives herself to do her best for her teammates. “She loves to play for […] her teammates,”  head coach Bill Shine said. Gould makes every point important, even if she is up 6-0 in a set.

“On the court Taylor is a tough cookie for opponents to handle,” Shine said. We are looking forward to see the great strides will Gould make over her next four years at Menlo.