Parker Collins

Barry Faulkner

Parker Collins has neither sought nor discovered the key to the

conscious mind some use to lock out distractions during competition.

As such, the former Corona del Mar High tennis standout, now a

senior on the No. 3-ranked USC Trojans, absorbs, perhaps even

attracts, every element of oppressive atmosphere that can envelope a

match.

In a sport where ego can fend off opponents as effectively as

polished ground strokes, Collins often spends changeovers volleying

with self-doubt.

Though he has enjoyed some sparkling doubles success, Collins

admits his collegiate singles career has been underwhelming.

And, as his final season at USC surges toward its conclusion, he

humbly savors every match in which he is asked fill a spot in the

lineup.

Such opportunities, however, bring with them, Collins believes,

resounding responsibility. It is this responsibility, to his

teammates, his school, his program’s storied tradition, that can

weigh on the 6-foot, 165-pound performer.

“Playing college tennis is not like playing any other tennis,”

said Collins, whose Trojans defeated host Tulsa Sunday to improve to

14-2. “You’re not just playing for yourself, but for your team, even

your whole school. The pressure is 20 times more than what I

experienced playing juniors.”

There have been times, Collins said, when these pressures pushed

him to his breaking point.

“My first year, I didn’t handle it very well,” he recalled. “When

the points got close, I couldn’t make a shot. I still have times

where I put too much pressure on myself out there. But, as you get

older and mature in the program, you learn to play with the

pressure.”

Collins said he has never resorted to specific relaxation

techniques to calm his nerves before a match. Instead, he and Coach

Peter Smith work together to formulate a game plan before each match.

It is this blueprint Collins clings to, should his foundation begin

to falter.

“My only goal is to stick to the game plan,” Collins said. “If I

lose, I lose, but I know I stuck to the plan that gave me the

greatest chance at success.”

As mentioned, he has enjoyed some shining moments in doubles. He

and teammate Daniel Langre reached the semifinals of the SCTA doubles

championships last fall and the duo won the Pac-10 doubles

tournament, contested every year as part of the Ojai Valley Tennis

Tournament, in 2003. They were the first USC tandem to capture that

title since 1995 and Collins said the victory is easily his No. 1

highlight as a collegian.

Collins said Langre’s laid-back on-court persona helps him from

compounding his own competitive desire. He also believes the

aforementioned successes have helped solidify his confidence when it

comes to doubles.

“In singles, I’m still struggling,” he said. “But in doubles, I

got over the hump last season, where I felt like I could play my best

in any situation.”

Collins finished his junior season with the No. 42 ITA doubles

ranking.

Collins and teammate Ruben Torres reached the semifinals of the

recent Pac-Coast tournament in La Jolla, where they defeated the

nation’s No. 2-ranked duo from Rice and forced the nation’s

top-ranked doubles team from Texas A&M; to the limit before falling.

On schedule to graduate in May with a degree in sociology, Collins

said he plans to play in some European tournaments after graduation.

He said he is still working to find his ultimate career path, but is

happy the immediate road leads through the tennis court.