T Walterboro – While winning is the ultimate goal, the values and mental toughness gained in any athletic endeavor will serve high school athletes well beyond their prep playing days.
Colleton County’s girls tennis may never win a region championship. The Cougars play in one of the state’s toughest and most competitive AAAA regions, region 7-AAAA. However, the team is growing by leaps and bounds in 2023, starting the season with a 4-1 record in non-region play. The team managed just three wins a year ago and coach Madeline Brawley is seeing marked improvement.
“Every year, the team gets stronger. I am very proud of the progress these girls have made through sheer hard work and determination,” the coach reports. “The odds are stacked against them, and many are brand new to the sport, but they have not allowed that to hold them back from bringing home some impressive results against some strong non-region teams.
“We have the toughest conference in the state for tennis, and although the score may not always reflect it, many of the courts have great rallies and get to deuce quite frequently against opponents who have received private lessons since kindergarten.”
Savannah Thurston plays No. 1 singles and serves as the team captain. Brawley admires her determination and effort to compete.
“She is constantly matched up against D1-level athletes,” Brawley says. “She has only been playing for a few years but has made great strides with her serves and hits. After a match, she can be seen practicing serves or hitting with the ball machine. Her tenacity for improving is admirable, and it shows in her play on the court.”
Lily Kilpatrick is playing No. 2 singles this fall. Madison McCrary is playing No. 3 singles and Jasmine Boyle competes at No. 4 singles. Avery Jirel is sitting at No. 5 singles while Braelynn Higgins and Mady Myers play No. 2 doubles.
Junior varsity players Grace Breland, Alyssa Friedman and Caroline Mizell have also contributed to the varsity. Other members of the junior varsity include Brooklyn Stuard, Imani Allen, Alul Robinson, Melanie Meinert and Magdalena Brabcova.
More important than the obvious improvement and growth in the team on the court is the team’s commitment to academics. Several players have a grade-point-average over 5.0 and the team has an average grade-point average of 4.14.
“I am also incredibly proud of the team culture and camaraderie amongst the athletes; there is a true sisterhood of support and love that is sure to carry on long after high school,” the coach said. “These young women consistently demonstrate class and maturity beyond their years, and I am so proud of who they are and who they are becoming.”
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