Gianan plays like a warrior

Torn muscles and tendinitis can’t stop Hannah Gianan.

She loves tennis too much to let the pain take her out of the game. She’s a warrior.

“I try to be,” said the Camas High School senior. “I may not be the player I was last year, but I’m not going to compete any less.”

Gianan captured her first single’s district championship at the Vancouver Tennis Center Saturday. She won doubles at districts and state as a sophomore and a freshman.

“I feel accomplished,” she said. “Last season didn’t end the way I wanted it to. Coming back here and winning was a good experience.”

Gianan is on her way to the regional tournament Friday and Saturday, in Kent.

She wants to get back to state, and hopefully be playing for the championship Saturday, May 27, in Richland.

Head coach Jonathan Burton tells her to keep focusing on the next point, and just play tennis.

“The talent is there and the will is there,” he said. “I think she will battle through.”

Although her arm is bandaged and her range is limited, Gianan said she is going to keep playing until she wins, loses or her arm falls off.

Pain is temporary. Memories on the court last a lifetime.

“It’s not to the point where I’m going to forfeit the match,” she said. “I just try to push through the pain because I know that I’m not going to stop.”

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