On the court sophomore Cecilia Helland is 8-1 in singles play this year. Off the court this Swedish import is having the time of her life.

A native of chilly Stockholm, Sweden, Helland’s decision to come to Sacramento State on a tennis scholarship was made much easier by the warmer Sacramento climate and a fondness for coach Bill Campbell.

But she wouldn’t have to make the trip alone; lifelong friend and fellow Hornet Anna Erikson signed up as well.

“I’ve known her since I was 9-years-old, so we’ve basically grown up together. We decided we should go together to the same school. It’s really been an advantage, being here with my best friend,” Helland said. “It was a really good decision to come here.-

“It was probably my biggest decision in life, but it was right.”

One year before they met, Helland picked up a tennis racket for the first time.

She hasn’t put it down since.

“I was ranked No. 1 (in Sweden) when I was 13-years-old, then 14-years-old … then later I was top-10 for my age,” Helland said. “(Erikson) was ranked in the top-3 for her age, and then was among the top 10 for all women.”

But unlike most American athletes who play sports with their best friends, there’s no rivalry — friendly or otherwise — at work here.-

According to Campbell, “They would rather not play each other ever. Now when they play their other matches, they are very, very competitive.

“I think the two of them, and with Klara (Petersson, also from Sweden) being here, is really great. I think the whole team has fun.”

“Of course we push each other to work hard, but I don’t feel like I need to beat her or anything, because we work as a team,” Helland said. “We have a lot of fun.”

“Fun” is a word that comes easily to the 22-year-old, just as easily as Helland and the rest of the women’s tennis team lights up the Big Sky.-

But as far as a social life, Helland is not that impressed by Sacramento’s nightlife.

“If you go out at 9 p.m., there’s basically no one … Los Angeles is my favorite,” Helland said. “But I don’t go out that much. Maybe if we have a weekend, we’ll go out to a club and dance … but otherwise, I think we’re all (the team) pretty focused.”

With tough practices and even tougher double-headers, one might think the season wears on her.- Think again.

“No, it doesn’t, because we practice a lot, and everyone is having so much fun … we have so much fun together as a team,” Helland said. “I think if I didn’t love tennis as much as I do, I would maybe think it was too much.”

“Right now, for me, it’s all about tennis.- I want to focus on it.- I like the campus, and I love (Rio Del Oro racquet) club.”

Campbell couldn’t be happier with her progression as a player and a student.-

“She’s a pleasure both on and off the courts,” Campbell said. “She gives 100 percent on the court and in practice, and off the court she’s delightful.”

Helland is happy to be here, playing the game she loves, far from home but not at all alone.