Lakewood Ranch freshman phenom off to a fast start

LAKEWOOD RANCH — Ashley Bongart walked onto the tennis court three years ago feeling like a different person.

The then-12-year-old was competing alongside one of her friends in doubles tournament of the Eddie Herr International Junior Tennis Championships. It was the opportunity to play against players from across the world — something for which she had spent nearly three years preparing.

But as the tournament progressed, Bongart couldn’t seem to shake an exhaustion that left her feeling uncharacteristically sluggish. She knew something wasn’t quite right; but rather than letting the fatigue bring her down, Bongart pushed on.

After she and her friend celebrated their second-place finish, Bongart learned she had been playing with mononucleosis.

Since then, Bongart’s competitive nature has made her one of the area’s most talented tennis players. The Lakewood Ranch High School freshman is currently ranked 27th in the state of Florida’s U18 rankings. She also is undefeated on the court this season, having won eight singles matches and four doubles matches while helping lead the Lady Mustangs to an 8-1 record.

“I like it because it’s not just about yourself — it’s the whole entire team,” Bongart said. “I like the competitiveness of it. I like being competitive.”

Bongart began playing tennis when she was 7 years old at the urging of her father Ed Bongart, who now coaches Lakewood’s girls tennis team after spending the past several years coaching the boys team.

“My dad played before, and it was something to do that was the same,” Bongart said.

A little more than a year later, Bongart entered her first tournament. And although she doesn’t remember the match, Bongart admits it was a learning experience.

“I was really nervous,” Bongart said. “I remember one of the ladies coming up to me and telling me to imagine the other girl in her underpants.”

After spending the better part of her tennis career competing as an individual, in the last three months, Bongart has enjoyed adjusting not only to playing on a team but also having her dad serve as her coach.

“It’s good, and then, sometimes, we fight,” Bongart said. “He’s been with me, and he knows me the most.

“She kind of appreciates where I’m coming from now,” Ed Bongart said. “It’s no longer just Dad telling me what to do. Now, she’s mature enough to (realize) why we do certain things. It’s not because I’m crazy. It’s because I want her to get better.”

Bongart will spend the next few months competing with the Lady Mustangs with the goal of reaching the state tournament while also competing individually in United States Tennis Association tournaments.
This past weekend, Bongart competed in the USTA sectional in Plantation, where she won her first match before falling 6-3, 6-4 in the second round.

Bongart has aspirations of earning a college scholarship and, if she continues to improve, eventually playing on tour.

“I’ve been playing this for a long time,” Bongart said. “I love it. It’s part of my life.”

Contact Jen Blanco at [email protected].