Since she won her first tournament at age nine, Mallory Conner had a good idea of the path ahead.

Four years prior at age five, Conner began her current tutelage relationship with Brian Bleam, who is the Director of Racquets at Brookside County Club.

Early on, Conner was well aware that tennis would be her calling card.

“I picked up a racquet when I was five,” said Conner. “I knew tennis would be my sports. A lot of things just came naturally to me, and Brian has helped me since I was five. I knew I had to be consistent to get the ball into play, but I really didn’t have any obstacles to overcome.”

Since then, the Northwestern junior certainly has made her mark in Lehigh Valley tennis circles as the Tigers’ lone representative in the District 11 tournament.

In her freshman year, Conner finished third in the district Class 2A bracket, and she notched a runner-up ending last season.

Monday afternoon, Conner quickly disposed of Notre Dame’s Viktoria Vosseller, 6-0, 6-0, in the opening round before dumping Moravian Academy’s Emily Reynolds, 6-0, 6-1 in the quarterfinals at Lehigh University’s Ulrich Tennis Courts.

With the victories, Conner advanced to the district semifinals this afternoon.

Conner was confident she would have a fast start after a hard-fought victory in a match during a tournament in Exeter last weekend. She typically will play in a higher age bracket at tournaments than her designated one.

“I thought I played well,” said Conner about her play Monday. “I was happy that I only gave up a point.

“I had a really good match in Exeter, and I felt that got me fired up for this week.”

Conner believes playing on the weekly tournament circuit — anywhere in Pennsylvania, New Jersey or Maryland — has made her more battle tested, especially for the district postseason. With her consistent schedule, as well as weekly workouts with her coach, Conner also has adopted an individual mindset.

She often crosses with some of the area’s top players at summer camps and workouts at Northwood Racquet Club in Easton.

“Sometimes, I feel like I’m in New Jersey than in Pennsylvania,” said Conner. “Playing in tournaments, the competition in districts usually isn’t as strong as I see in tournaments. When it gets to the semifinal round, it can get difficult.

“Being on my own isn’t anything new to me. I started training and playing when I was very young, and I was on my own. I do think about what it might be like on a high school team, but I like where I am right now. At times, it can be a lone wolf mentality.”

With an individual district title in her sights this year and next, Conner also has begun to think about her future as a collegiate player, entertaining offers from some local colleges as well as some along the Eastern Seaboard and down South.

She would like to pursue a career that involves math and business, and also would entertain a career in sports management.

“I would like to play tennis in college,” said Conner. “I have made some visits and some schools have talked to me. At this time, I’m looking to not stay in the state for college.

“But I want to have a strong finish here this season.”

Conner will get to take the next step toward a strong finish this afternoon.