At Christian Heritage Academy, senior Berkley Garber brings steadiness, faith and gratitude to the varsity tennis program as the school’s No. 1 doubles player. Garber says the relationships around her have helped shape both her confidence and her joy on the court.
“I love all of my teammates,” Garber said. “I love how they cheer me on and encourage me during a match.” That support has helped fuel her growth during a sport that often demands mental toughness as much as physical skill.
Garber said one of the biggest challenges in her game is maintaining consistency, a hurdle familiar to many tennis players competing point by point. Still, she believes her strengths are becoming more defined with experience and daily work.
“The toughest part of what I play is probably being consistent,” Garber said. “The strength of my game is my ground strokes, and I am improving my serve every day.”
That commitment reflects a mindset shaped by people closest to her. Garber said her mother has been a major source of inspiration in her life, pushing her to stay dedicated and trust the process.
“My mom inspires me,” Garber said. “She inspires to work hard and do what I love and not give up.” Garber also credits former teammate Hannah Joy Nuthman with showing her how to balance competitive focus with enjoyment.
“My former teammate Hannah Joy Nuthman left a lasting impression on me,” Garber said. “She taught me to have fun and work hard at the same time.”
For Garber, representing Christian Heritage Academy carries meaning beyond wins and losses. “Representing my school is special to me because I get to play to represent God, and the school that I love,” she said.
That perspective has helped define her athletic journey. Garber said sports have taught her resilience and the value of pushing through challenges. After high school, she plans to attend Harding University and study finance, carrying with her the lessons tennis has taught along the way.
“Athletics has taught me how to do hard things and work through them,” Garber said.
