“I used to pick up balls for my grandparents whenever they took me to their club to watch them,” Li said. “As I got a little older, my grandparents started playing tennis with me, and I realized how much I enjoyed the sport.”
She joined Eagle Fustar Tennis Academy, where she played under coach Ryan Hudelson and started competing in tournaments. There, she developed her early skills.
“The key to being successful in any sport is consistency in training, playing tournaments, and fitness, and Erin has been doing these things from the beginning,” Hudelson said.
In her freshman year of high school Li joined the Paly tennis team; a turning point in her career. Up to that point, Li had mostly played tennis as an individual sport. The environment of a tight-knit team taught her the importance of teamwork and supporting others on and off the court.
“My teammates have helped me and supported me so much,” Li said. “Having people cheer you on during matches and being able to challenge each other to push to our limits during practice gives me motivation to always give my 100 percent.”
As a sophomore, Li won the CCS Doubles Girls Tennis Title, competing with her teammate and close friend Iris Li. The pair decided to compete together as a tribute to Iris, a graduating senior.
“I won the CCS doubles in my sophomore year. It was unexpected as we decided to play doubles for fun … and winning the CCS never really crossed our minds,” Erin said.
*Link to Palo Alto Online Article : https://www.paloaltoonline.com/sports/2021/11/17/palo-alto-pair-wins-ccs-girls-tennis-doubles-title/
The victory strengthened Li’s belief in herself. However, with higher aspirations came a new wave of challenges for her to face.
Every weekend, Li would travel long distances to compete for her club team. Tournament after tournament, she struggled to get the outcomes she desired and lost a lot of her matches. These losses, combined with the demanding schedule, took a toll on her mentality.
There were times when I felt like giving up and wanted to quit because I wasn’t getting the results I wanted
— Erin Li
In the face of challenge, Li learned to take her losses and use them as tools for improvement. Tess Li, Erin’s younger sister and teammate, has watched Erin’s mentality change for the better.
“When [Erin] has a bad game, she always takes time to reflect on herself, but moves on and learns from her mistakes,” Tess Li said.
Li began dedicating time off the court to focus on building up her strength through lifting, hitting practice, and endurance training. As she began competing again, she started seeing better results, helping her regain self-confidence as a player.
“Eventually, as I began to play tournaments again, my results slowly began to improve, making me feel like I was improving as a player,” Li said. “Overcoming all the struggles as a student-athlete instills me with a feeling of pride.”
Not only does Li set a good example with her performance, but through her attitude as well. As captain, Li prioritizes being a friend to everyone on the team, and her encouraging demeanor is noticeable.
“She has a positive attitude during our games in the school season and never pressures us,” Tess Li said. “She helps our team come together and bond, and even when we lose, she always makes sure that we had a good time and will learn for the future.”
For Li, having a strong support system was a crucial part of her athletic success. Her family and coaches have significantly boosted her career, and she appreciates their guidance and support.
“They have spent as much effort and time as I have, helping and guiding me to become a better player,” Li said. “From waking up at 5:00 a.m. to take me to 8:00 a.m. matches, to being there for me no matter if I win or lose, they have shaped me into who I am as a player today.”
Currently, Li is committed to continue her athletic and academic career at Swarthmore College, where she will play Division III tennis.
“I chose to play tennis at the next level because I really enjoy playing the sport, and I loved playing high school tennis which makes me super excited to have a team aspect again at Swarthmore,” Li said.
Aside from the on-court success Li has achieved, it is her legacy as a leader and team mate that makes her deserving of Upperclassmen Girl of the Year. She continues to inspire the people around her, and wants to see the next generation of Paly tennis succeed.
Use the bad results as opportunities for growth and learning and use them to come back even stronger
— Erin Li
HONORABLE MENTION: Kylie Yen
With her impressive stats and strong leadership qualities, Senior Kylie Yen played a key role in a memorable season.
As captain of the well-accomplished Girls Volleyball team, Senior Kylie Yen is Viking’s honorable mention for Upperclassman Girl of the Year.
Yen is a two-year co-captain and three-year varsity player for the girls volleyball team. This past season she led the team in points scored. Paly Varsity head coach Chris Crader mentioned that she achieved the highest single-match total for any player in his five years at Paly.
“She was near the top of the team in aces, digs, blocks, and serve receive, and is a great all-around player, a great leader, a great student, and a great person,” Crader said.
Yen’s strong play and leadership was reflected in the overall success of the volleyball team. They won the SCVAL league with an undefeated 12-0 record, and finished 27-7 overall.
Yen was selected for the SCVAL All-League Team and won the team MVP award, showing how highly her teammates value her and her skill as an individual.
