Sports Editor

Diana

Chang, a recently graduated senior from Fayette County

High School, has gotten used to honors and accolades over

the years. Chang was a midfielder of the Fayette County

Lady Tiger soccer team and the Region 4-AAAA MVP the past

two years.

"I

never thought that I would win it in my junior

year," Chang said. "There was a little more

pressure in my senior year, but I played for my team and

never really concentrated on it."

Chang was a

member of the varsity squad since her sophomore year. She

has been named to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution's

all-region team the past three years. This was the first

season that she was selected for the Georgia high School

all-star team. Not bad for someone who started playing

soccer because she was jealous of the attention her

brother got for playing soccer.

Chang

started playing soccer at the age of 9. She played for

the Lightning Soccer Club but now plays club level soccer

for Tophat, based in Buckhead. She scored 13 goals and

recorded 10 assists this year for the Lady Tigers. She

plays a more defensive role for her club team, though,

usually residing at sweeper.

"Soccer

keeps me focused," said Chang. "It makes we

work harder at schoolwork, it relaxes me, and it's a

challenge. I love challenges."

Soccer

isn't all that Chang is about, either. She finished in

the top 5 percent of her class and graduated with honors;

she gives piano lessons and hangs out with her friends,

though there isn't always a lot of time for that.

She says

that the best memory of her team is from the South

Carolina tournament this season. "The team really

came together at the tournament," said Chang.

"We went 2-1 in the tournament, but it made a big

difference in our play this year."

Chang is

heading for the hallowed halls of Princeton University

this fall. She plans to major in biology or chemistry and

go pre-med. She has met the soccer coach and will play

soccer for the school. Once a Tiger, always a Tiger.

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