Northern Star: Shay Callaway
Played as UMD's #1 singles player 2022-24
DULUTH, Minn.- As UMD’s women’s tennis season came to a close on Saturday, so did Shay Callaway’s four-year run on the court with the Bulldogs.
“I think that these four years have been some of the best years of my life,” Callaway said during her final practice with UMD. “And the people that I’ve met on this team are some of the kindest people and I couldn’t ask for anything more. I couldn’t. I don’t know, it’s been a good time.”
After graduating from Duluth East High School, Callaway opted to stay close to home and commit to UMD. According to Head Coach Jessica Worden, Callaway had different plans prior to her commitment.
“Ever since she was little, she said she wants to go far away. She wants to leave. She doesn’t want to stay here.” Worden smiled. “And then I get this text one day. And it says, ‘Can I come to a practice?’ And I was so excited.”
Callaway has been the Bulldogs’ number one singles player from 2022 as a sophomore to this most recent season. However, Coach Worden noticed a new part of Callaway’s game in the last few months.
“This year as a senior, she has given back to the upperclassmen,” Worden says. “She is spending extra time helping them with their strokes and telling them tips and tactics. She is choosing to play a different game style against some of our teammates. It’s really great the way she will dedicate her time to help others reach their goals.”
“As a player, I’ve learned quite a lot from this team,” says Callaway. “We all have different hitting styles, and I’ve kind of learned to adapt different things in my own way, and (I’ve) definitely changed my mindset through the game.”
As Callaway pursues a career as a dentist, she knows she’s leaving UMD having made a positive impact on her teammates. “I think the general consensus is they would describe me as a character, I’m sure that’s what they will remember,” she laughs. “Hopefully, (they remember) that I was able to help them in their own game plan and provide like necessary tennis information along the way. Through these four years there are so many countless, countless great times I’ve had with this team.”
