School Senior Scores State Win in Tennis
Senior Meg Andersen (center, in photo above) made Principia proud when she captured fourth place at the Missouri Class 1 State Tennis Tournament at the Cooper Tennis Complex in Springfield, Missouri, on October 20.
While other tennis players had focused on getting through Sectionals and on to State, Andersen had a goal of focusing on her game from one day to the next. With many obstacles to overcome this season, it was a daily effort, and Andersen is filled with gratitude for her coaches and teammates.
Before coming to Principia, when she played at Miramonte High School in Orinda, California, Andersen had never made it beyond Districts. Getting through Sectionals, and then playing her final matches of high school tennis as a senior at a State tournament was a huge deal, she says.
It was cloudy, very windy, and a chilly 45 degrees when Andersen took to the courts on Friday, October 19. Even though the weather was less than ideal for tennis, Andersen was focused and easily took her first match, 6–1, 6–0.
“I knew the conditions would require even more focus and some adjustments to my play,” Andersen explains. “I had to spin the ball into the wind, and it was difficult to switch sides of the court because the wind would change the direction and speed of my shots. Plus, I was cold! Going indoors for my second match was great! I loved everything about being indoors and I hit the court ready to go.”
Andersen kept the streak going when she beat Sydnie Whiteside of Chillicothe High School, 6–1, 6–3. Whiteside had a record of 33–0 going into the match, and Andersen knew it would be a battle.
“She and I played a very competitive match, much closer than the score showed,” Andersen says. “It was a fun match and we both played with a lot of fire and intensity.”
In preparation for Saturday’s semifinal match, Andersen took time to be quiet in the hotel. “I spent some time thinking about how much I had improved from the beginning of the season and how grateful I am for my team this year, and for Coach [John] Glascock and Coach [Terry] McNabb,” she explains. “I realized that, no matter what the next day had in store, the season was already full of great achievements and memories made with the whole team.”
On Saturday, the sun shone on the courts. Andersen’s semifinal opponent turned out to be Alena Frye of the Barstow School in Kansas City, Missouri, who eventually became the State champion. Andersen was able to take two games from Frye, but ultimately lost 1–6, 1–6. Coach Glascock was proud of Andersen for putting up her best fight against such a talented opponent.
Andersen then went on to play Yurie Heard of Pembroke Hill, losing 5–7,1–6, resulting in Heard taking third place and Andersen fourth.
“Even though I didn’t have a huge crowd with me, I was so grateful for Grace Buchanan, Amy Glascock, Coach Shannon Carney, and my dad for all coming out to support me,” Andersen says. “I am also grateful for the support I had from everyone at school and in the dorm.”
To recognize Andersen’s accomplishment, the Upper School had a surprise celebration the following Monday afternoon—cupcakes for all the students and a chance to congratulate Andersen in person.