Marion’s tennis team relies on each other as they go for two in a row

Cheers rang out as Parker White and Maddie Austin wrapped up the final point to win their first team Marion Girls Tennis State Championship.

When asked about going to the state tournament, Marion Junior Parker White said, “Every year to be able to go as just amazing for me, like that nervous feeling, but to also do it with the team, like it would have been the best of the past. several years.”

After making the trip to Blacksburg on her own in 2022, the team that joined her in 2023 made last year’s state title so special for Marion Junior Parker White.

“I think it’s a really good reminder that you might be alone on the field, but like the team has your back and the teams are still there to cheer you on, no matter what this game is,” White added.

“This team is about individuals, this sport is about individuals, but it’s also about the team, and our girls go back and forth with that very well,” said Marion Girls Tennis Head Coach Doug Grubb. “They play for themselves when they go out. here, but they know that everything they do is for the team and that’s what makes this team special.”

While the team won its first title last season, White was already working on her second state singles championship and after bringing it home last year, she’s looking to go 3-for-3 with another shot this week.

“I think there’s always going to be pressure just because I know what I’ve done in my past, but I think just being thankful for every game, like if it’s district regular season or whatever, staying thankful for every game that i can playing was really a stress reliever after the game and now the condition,” White said.

With two singles championships and a team title already on her resume, White is looking to fill an empty hole in her trophy case.

White saying: “I love doubles, doubles is probably my favorite most of the time, it depends on the day, I just love being able to have that other person on the court with you, talk to you about it, be there to pick each other. up.”

Sharing the court with her teammate Maddie Austin, Coach Grubb said this year looks to be the year the pair will bring home the gold.

Going for her first triple crown, White has a chance to take home the team title on Thursday, the doubles title on Friday and the singles title on Saturday.

“I want to look back and say that I am very grateful for everything that has come from Marion tennis and to be able to say that I still have more to go forward.”

Moving forward is exactly what Marion Girls Tennis will do as the team won their semifinal match on Monday and will take the court again on Thursday for a chance to defend their title.