USJ's Hancock named the Female Tennis Player of the Year
Playing on the Division II-A level makes the road to state extremely tough for the University School of Jackson girls tennis team as the competition is tougher in Memphis.
Over the past four years, USJ senior Spencer Hancock has developed into the No. 1 player for the Lady Bruins. And part of her strength has come from playing those girls from Memphis.
"The girls in Memphis are always really, really good, so it is a tough challenge every time I play them," Hancock said. "The competition in West Tennessee isn't as tough, but you play them and I have to play my best. The girls are really sweet, and I have gotten to know many of them as I have played them over the years. When I play against them, it makes me want to get better."
Hancock helped USJ reach the Division II-A sub-state round as a team, and her doubles team with Merimac Ellis reached the state quarterfinals to be named the 2017 All-West Tennessee Girls Tennis Player of the Year.
"Over the four years of my tennis career, I have developed strong bonds with my teammates," Hancock said. "I have gotten good coaching advice through the years and tips on how to get better."
Looking back over her four years, there were two events that have stood out. One is a yearly tournament the Lady Bruins attend.
"My favorite moments are the Rotary Tournaments in Chattanooga," Hancock said. "Those are always really fun. You get to stay a couple of nights and have a lot of fun like taking all of the cookies at the DoubleTree. It seemed to always rain, so I dreaded that."
The other was reaching the state tournament as a team.
"My other favorite memory was when we won our sub-state match against St. Cecilia my sophomore year," Hancock said. "That put us in the state tournament."
Hancock will be attending the University of Memphis this fall, but she is not going to let her love for tennis go away.
“I am going to play intramurals all of the time, and I think I am going to play in a league,” Hancock said.
Reach Michael Odom at michodom@jacksonsun.com or 731-425-9754. Follow him on Twitter @JSWriterMichael.
All-West Tennessee Tennis Team
Singles
Lilly Cottrell
TCA, sophomore
Why chosen: Won the District 15 A-AA championship before finishing runner-up in the Region 8 A-AA tournament.
Merimac Ellis
USJ, freshman
Why chosen: Had a breakout freshman season for the Lady Bruins as a single, and teamed with Spencer Hancock to reach the Division II-A state quarterfinals.
Kate Petrinjak
USJ, senior
Why chosen: Was the No. 2 player all season for the Lady Bruins, who were the best team in West Tennessee.
Ashley Willis
USJ, senior
Why chosen: Reached the Division II-A state singles quarterfinals after finishing fourth in the West region tournament.
Doubles
Morgan Samuels (senior),
Meg Wichlan (senior)
Madison
Why chosen: Won the District 15 A-AA doubles championship and finished runner-up in the Region 8 A-AA tournament.
Macy Reed (sophomore),
Adelaide Russell (senior)
TCA
Why chosen: Reached the Class A-AA state quarterfinals after winning the Region 8 A-AA championship.