Champions! Middle School Tennis Wins State

Record-breaking temperatures in Memphis may have shortened the St. Mary’s Middle School tennis season, but they didn’t cause the Turkeys to burn out. Instead, they seemed to ignite them, leading the girls to win the Middle School Tennis State Championship this past weekend!

“I’m incredibly proud of this team,” said Coach Cyndie Fogarty. “Even with a season full of weather challenges and canceled matches, the girls stayed focused, worked hard, and continued to support one another. To see that determination pay off with both a league and state championship was such a special way to finish the season.”

During the summer and early fall, extreme heat led to numerous canceled matches. To make up for lost court time, the girls practiced early in the morning and took advantage of outside instruction.

“Because we couldn’t practice outside for school, I ended up having more time to do a lot more lessons and training on my own,” said Ellen Gilless ’31. “I believe that more personal practice may have led to our team winning.”

“The girls were focused and made the best of the times we were all together as a team,” said Coach Fogarty.

That determination paid off at the Shelby Metro League Tournament, where St. Mary’s faced Briarcrest, Hutchison, Lausanne, and St. George’s, earning the overall team title with standout finishes in both singles and doubles.

“What makes me proud of this victory is that the whole team worked so hard for it, and everyone put their all into every match,” said Wendy Edwards ’32.

For Oli Cardenas ’32, the season showed just how important that teamwork could be on the court.

“All of this tennis season, I have played doubles, which required a lot of teamwork, encouragement, and communication,” she said. “My partners helped me fix what I was doing wrong, supported my decisions during the match, and my non-partners throughout the season have been cheering for me, encouraging me, and congratulating me when I have won.”

The Turkeys carried that momentum to Murfreesboro for the state tournament, defeating Webb School of Knoxville, Boyd-Buchanan School, and Baylor School to advance to the championship. In the final, St. Mary’s swept Christian Academy of Knoxville on all three courts to claim the Tennessee state title.

For Lainey Conrad ’31, the key was staying focused on the point in front of her. “When playing important matches, I think about trying to stay in the moment and keeping the ball in rather than thinking ahead to what the score will be,” she said. “I do this so that I do not get in my head and mess up.”

The victory was made even sweeter by the teammates who shared it. “I’m so glad I was able to win beside my friends,” said Millie Savage ’31.

“I love this group of girls,” said Coach Fogarty. “They have really come together with one goal in mind: to be the best team we could be. They manage to work hard and have fun. Plus, our seasoned players were great role models for our newer teammates.”

The championship roster included Lainey Conrad, Olivia Cardenas, Penny Cardenas, Wendy Edwards, Ellen Gilless, Mary Brooks Morgan, Millie Savage, and Olivia Yu. The team was coached by Mary Sharff and Cyndie Fogarty.

What an incredible season and a fantastic finish. Go Turkey Tennis!