AIDEN’S TAKE ON TENNIS
Tell us about the work you and Colin did to set goals for your 
development. 
I liked setting goals with Colin because it gave me specific 
things to work toward instead of just saying I want to get 
better at tennis. My goals include winning a level 6 USTA 
tournament, winning my middle school league competition, 
and completing a match with less than three double faults.
What have you had to give up working toward those goals? 
The biggest thing I give up is probably free time. There are 
days when my friends are hanging out or doing something 
after school and I have practice, lessons, or a tournament. I 
try not to give up sleep because I know that’s important for 
playing well and for school. 
Of the goals you and Colin set for your development, which 
one is the most challenging? 
One of the hardest goals Colin has coached me on is shot 
placement. Before working with Colin, my placement was 
less thought-through and more random. He’s taught me 
strategies and angles that help me with my shots to win more 
points.
What do you love most about tennis?
I love competing. Every opponent is different, so I have 
learned to adjust my game and mindset with every match to 
find a way to win. I like seeing improvement when Colin and I 
have worked through new skills during practice and they are 
successful on the court.
How does tennis help make you a better person? 
Tennis has taught me discipline, patience, and how to handle 
both winning and losing. It makes me manage my time better 
because I have to balance school, tennis, friends and family. 
It has also taught me that you aren’t always going to succeed 
right away, and getting frustrated doesn’t help you improve. 
You are described as one of PD’s strongest young players, 
and you won second as a 7th grader in your school’s league 
tournament. What’s your secret sauce?
I think my success comes from my technique and mindset. 
Hitting with Colin and Addi and learning from their 
instruction has helped me learn how to play at a much higher 
level. I have also learned how to stay mentally tough through 
matches. Every practice is a new opportunity to get better and 
learn something new.
AIDEN  
 SNELL
SNELL
13 • 8TH GRADE
Plays for Prairie Hills Middle School and 
finished second in the Patriot League year-
end tournament last season  |  Competes 
in intermediate-to-advanced USTA Level 6 
(L6) Boys’ 14 and Under tournaments
COACH COLIN’S “RETURN”
 
“A player has to want to reach for it. I expect both 
Aiden and Taylor to progress, but at their ages, it’s a 
matter of them determining on their own what they 
want their goals to be. Then, Addi and I will continue 
to help find the right pathways to meet them.
 
“I coached a girl in Alaska. If I’d been cornered to say, 
when she was 13, whether she would progress to 
play college tennis, I would have said it wasn’t likely. 
She was not that athletic. But she wanted it and 
went on to play Division 1 at Providence College.”
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