She is a leader, a role model and a friend. On the court, she cracks her racket and digs her feet into the pavement. Off the court, she would give time and attention to others before even thinking of herself.

Senior Rachel Wolfe started her competitive tennis career the summer before her freshman year of high school. Tennis became her passion and an outlet for her stress.

"Rachel is a vital part of our 2013 MMC tennis squad," Head Coach Melinda Sevier said. "This year she will be playing number two in doubles and number five in singles. She is our senior captain, having played all four years. That position comes with responsibilities. She is my point person in contacting team members for any needs, requests or instructions. She is loyal, capable and dependable. We rely on her for many things. She is respectful, supportive and a great asset to the team."

Team captain

As captain for the women's tennis team, she relays messages between her coach and her teammates, assists with team conditioning and helps with the needs of the team.

"Coach says it's my job from 2:30 to 5:30 every day I don't have class," Wolfe said. "As captain, I make time to be on the court to a role model for teammates."

But, Wolfe goes beyond her tennis captain responsibilities, so her teammates feel at home.

"My personal goal is to be the best leader I can be and to try to make a connection with my teammates," Wolfe said. "I want them to feel like they have a family away from their family. I am always more than willing to help them with their school work and any other needs, like transportation."

Wolfe has picked up her teammates from the airport and has taken them to get physicals.

"She'll help the new players with registration," said junior Alejandro Yanes, men's tennis co-captain. "She's always helping with anything we need."

Wolfe also shared a special bond with her father through tennis, and when her father passed, her tennis game was affected, too.

Dad's influence

"My dad was my number one fan along with my mom," Wolfe said. "When my dad died after going to nationals in 2011, I started to struggle with my game. I have finally come to realize that when I step on the court he's still present in my thoughts and my game."

When she is not on the court picking up an ace, Wolfe is a First Year Experience Peer Academic Leader, a student ambassador for the Thomas Martin Society, a tutor in the Student Resource Center, Student Government Association Student Body secretary treasurer, Gamma Beta Phi president, Fellowship of Christian Athletes captain or president and a member of the Leadership Honorary Circle Society.

"I have to carefully make sure that I have enough time for everything," Wolfe said. "It isn't always easy and can get hectic at times."

For Wolfe, it's in her nature to be a leader, to be outgoing and to help others.

True leader

"As a leader, I feel like it is my duty to help others and be a positive role model," Wolfe said. "It makes me smile knowing that I'm helping someone else achieve a goal or dream."

Wolfe is president of Gamma Beta Phi and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. In Gamma Beta Phi, she works with Mark Hagewood to plan meetings and projects. As captain of FCA, her job is to plan meetings with the other leaders, worship and have fun.

"Ever since I've been on campus, Rachel has been one of my great friends. She is one of the friendliest and most compassionate people you will ever meet," SGA Vice President Taylor Parks said. "As a scared freshman, she approached me and helped me become a part of the Martin Methodist family."

After taking FYE her first semester at Martin, she became a PAL, helping her assigned professors with class assignment and topics and giving FYE students encouragement, advice and support.

A real PAL

"Rachel is the only student who has been a PAL since the second semester of her freshman year," Greta Henglein, director of the FYE Program, said. "She has been a PAL for me, Tim Wilson and Judy Ashmore. Rachel always made herself available, so students in her FYE 101 classes could contact her with any questions that they had. I believe she does go above and beyond what is expected in this regard as she continues to mentor her first-year students long after the FYE 101 course has concluded."

As a student ambassador for the Thomas Martin Society, Wolfe works for the college by assisting the Department of Admissions with preview days and student tours.

And, tutoring allows Wolfe to help students one-on-one in Kinesiology, Exercise Physiology as well as other classes.

Busy life

"When you look at everything she has on her agenda, it's hard to believe that she succeeds like she does," Parks said. "She not only lives up, but goes above and beyond what is expected from her. She is very diligent with her work, and is an inspiration to us all."

As SGA Student Body secretary treasurer, Wolfe is a voice for students and works with the other members of SGA to make a difference by achieving specific objectives in the school year. Her duties include attending meetings, taking minutes and relating information to SGA members.

"Rachel is a very motivated student leader. When able, Rachel will do whatever she can to help anyone," SGA President Teri-Beth Thompson said. "One of her biggest weaknesses is not being able to say no and not spending time for herself. She is an all-around great person. She has been away from SGA some this year, but she still tries her best to stay up to date on activities and as active as possible."

Smart, too

Wolfe balances all of her responsibilities with a 3.97 GPA, majoring in Physical Education and minoring in Biology.

"She's extremely organized and manages her time very well," Henglein said. "She loves helping people, being involved at MMC and being part of the tennis team, so she always makes time for these activities. We're definitely going to miss her when she graduates."

Her future plans are to attend graduate school for a doctorate in physical therapy.

"She's a really smart girl," Yanes said. "She always does her best with college and things she needs to do."

But, her passion for tennis will always be a part of her.

"Learning to deal with my emotions and the hurt was the biggest struggle, but I know that my dad wouldn't want me to ever quit playing," Wolfe said. "I've worked on my physical and mental game over the past few months, and I'm very optimistic that it's going to be a great year."