EVANSVILLE \u2013 Aaron Thompson has always been a strong tennis player for the Mater Dei Wildcats.<\/p>\n

A conference singles title and multiple state\u00a0honors back that up. But looking at him now, even his coach can tell you that there is something different about him.\u00a0Whatever he has changed, it seems to be working.<\/p>\n

Almost a month into his junior season, Thompson remains undefeated on the court. Not one to toot his own horn, the Mater Dei standout is beginning to reach another level of his game.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy season is going pretty well,\u201d said Thompson. \u201cI just feel great out there. I\u2019ve had a lot of tough competition, but I feel great confidence-wise.\u201d<\/p>\n

Thompson came onto the scene\u00a0as a freshman, compiling a 26-2 record and winning the individual Southern Indiana Athletic Conference title at No. 1 singles.<\/p>\n

As a sophomore, he earned\u00a0First Team All-State and All-SIAC honors after finishing with a\u00a020-3 mark on the court and was the SIAC runner-up to Memorial\u2019s Brandon Wu.<\/p>\n

But now an upperclassman, the junior has developed a better overall game. He will attack the net more to compliment a strong serve and forehand.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe has gotten to be more of an all-court player than he used to be,\u201d said Mater Dei coach Christine Clements. \u201cHe has worked so hard in the offseason and he just continues to get better. We are working on some different things to improve his game, but he is playing well.\u201d<\/p>\n

Thompson stayed busy this summer between workouts and tournament play. He\u00a0trains with the Evansville Tennis Community Association and would spend four or five days a week on the court for several hours.<\/p>\n

He also played in several tournaments around the Midwest. His highlight came by making the Central Indiana Tennis Association Team Cup.<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought that I played well this summer,\u201d said Thompson. \u201cI made CITA Team Cup, which is where you are paired up with your district and play against other districts in the Midwest.\u201d<\/p>\n