One more shot.

Make your opponent hit one more shot.  

That is how Australia's six-time Grand Slam winner Lleyton Hewitt plays tennis and senior Andy Oberg has modeled his game after Hewitt's.

“He [Hewitt] never has the cleanest or most powerful game, but the relentless way he competes is inspiring,” said Oberg.

The  No.1 player and lone senior on Keuka’s  team, Oberg played inspired tennis during his four-year career. A year ago, he earned North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC) Player of the Year honors. Despite battling health problems late this season, he earned honorable mention honors in singles and teamed with Pat Barker to garner second team All-NEAC honors in doubles.

Before he got into tennis, Oberg was a basketball player.  

“I started playing tennis my freshman year in high school to stay active for basketball and fell in love with it,” said Oberg, who explained that the excitement of individual competition was “something new” and he liked the idea of “being able to blame no one but yourself on the court.”

Oberg attend high school in Lino Lakes, Minn., which is just north of the Twin Cities. He played on the tennis team from 2002-2004 and earned All-North Suburban Conference honors three years. His team boasted an undefeated record in conference play and also claimed the conference title in all three of his varsity seasons. As a senior, he helped his team to a No. 5 state ranking.

“I had an unbelievable coach in high school. He taught me how to succeed in the sport,” said Oberg.

Keuka College was not on Oberg's radar when he started searching for colleges.

“Keuka was hardly an option because it did not have a tennis team,” he explained.

However, when he found out the College was going to start a tennis program his freshman year, Oberg “couldn’t turn down [the chance] to play on the courts overlooking Keuka Lake.”

And play he did, spending as much time as possible working on his game. His work ethic paid off, not only in terms of individual honors but taking a lead role in the establishment of Keuka’s tennis program.

“Playing tennis here has made my four years so much better,” said Oberg. “I’ve made some of the best friends I could ask for.”

-- Anthony Affissio '08