Blackman's Mincey learned quickly on the tennis court
Cecil JoyceCompared to her peers, Blackman tennis standout Anna Mincey started her tennis career late.
She's made up for lost time.
Mincey enters this week's Spring Fling unbeaten on the season as she competes in the Class AAA state individual singles tournament Thursday at Old Fort Park.
The sophomore will battle Collierville junior Sneha Sinha at 9 a.m. in the first round.
This isn't Mincey's first state appearance. She completed in the state doubles as a freshman last season.
And she's accomplished all of that despite having only been playing tennis since she was 11.
"I started when I was in sixth grade," Mincey said. "I was done being a cheerleader and needed to be active, and my mom (Terra) called me and said there were tennis tryouts. My love for the game grew."
While her love for the game grew, so did her talent.
It didn't take long for her to be considered among the elite in the state.
"Probably one or two years ago," Mincey said. "I was always serious about it. I was pushed to be serious. A couple of years ago I started playing higher-level tournaments and held my own."
Mincey reached the state semifinals in doubles last year but wanted to test her solo skills out this postseason and she swept through the district and region tournament with ease.
"I just wanted to see how I would do in singles," she said. "I felt like it was a good opportunity."
Mincey's improvement has been noticeable this season.
"She's a lot more aggressive and comfortable at the net," said Blackman coach Dylan Evans. "Last year, she struggled mentally at times, with her youth, when she got down in a match or set, and that hasn't been an issue this year."
Sinha will present a tough first-round challenge for Mincey, having reached the state finals last season before falling to Brentwood's Somer Henry.
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"I know she's No. 5 in the state and 77 in Southerns (ranked by the United States Tennis Association)," Mincey said. "I know she's very good. She hits really aggressive. She'll make some mistakes (because of the aggressiveness)."
Given that, Mincey may adjust her game. Normally an aggressive player herself, she hopes a consistent approach will play off.
"I'm pretty aggressive and go for shots I know I can make," Mincey said. "I adjust my game, depending on the opponent."
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Mincey, who enjoys photography "When I get free time," will go from state tournament to USTA state qualifying in early June. Later in the summer she hopes to be participating in USTA Southerns. She will also be attending the Evert Tennis Academy in Boca Raton, Fla. on June 11.
"I get no breaks," said Mincey, who prefers it that way. "It's all a very amazing experience. All of the players at state are there for a reason. Nobody gave them anything. It's going to be very tough.
Reach Cecil Joyce at cjoyce@dnj.com or 615-278-5168 and on Twitter @Cecil_Joyce.