Sparta Semifinalists and Champion Marian Swindell!

We are proud of the Varsity team - 12 athletes who battled against the best from 7 other district schools to represent Sparta & White County at the individual tournament Thursday and Friday!  Of special note are those that won out on Thursday for a semifinal birth on Friday; Marian, Gabriel, John, and Ethan, who all played marvelous semifinal matches.  Then, if you haven't heard about it yet, Marian Swindell, played one of the best matches of her career against Jillian Apple (6-2,6-2 in the semifinal) to face the Cookeville #1 - Emmie Bragga - in the District Girls Singles Championship Final!  Then Marian achieved the come from behind upset of the year!

One of the things we learned from Marian's 2023 come-from-behind-win against a district rival (she was down 0-5 and finally won 9-8(5) in a tiebreaker) is that you can never truly count her out.  Marian played a good first set against Cookeville #1, Emmie Braga, but still found herself on the losing side, 2-6.  Marian proved that grit and perseverance can succeed when coupled with smart play and great sportsmanship as she came back in the second set in a dominant 6-1 score. The third set would test the resolve of both players as Marian jumped to an early lead but her opponent put up a late challenging effort to fight back.  Our gritty girls' leader would earn her championship medal as she maintained control through the end of the third set for 6-3 win.  She earned every bit.  Marian is a champion!   The final score was 2-6, 6-1, 6-3. 

We want to say "Thank you!" to all the fans and JV players who came out to support our Varsity Warriors and Warriorettes!  

To the players we say again, "We love you and we are proud of you!"

Here are your semifinalists and champion in the district tournament play! 

Gabriel Wiles (12) and Ethan Wiles (10) - Semifinalists

John Durfee (11 - semifinalist) and Marian Swindell (12 - finalist at the time of this photo)

District Singles Girls Champion - Marian Swindell!

Here are what coaches previously wrote about Marian for the newspaper in April. 

“Marian is a fierce competitor--tough as nails and relentlessly focused. She plays with heart, grit, and an intensity that demands respect. Whether she’s battling back from match point or leading with quiet confidence, she never loses her cool. She’s the kind of athlete who leads by example, inspiring her teammates with her strength, composure and undeniable skill” -Amy Hawkins

“Marian is the player you can count on in tough situations. I remember the singles match that Marian was down 5-0 against a tough district rival. She made a strategic adjustment on the changeover that brought her to a win in the tiebreak after over an hour of play. That type of win demonstrates Marian’s intelligence, patience, and resolve to do her best no matter the situation. Marian Swindell demonstrates the ability, technique, and aptitude needed to succeed on the tennis court and in life. The future is bright for Marian!” - Topher

Congratulations Marian Swindell your District 7-AA Girls Singles Championship win! 

Marian will play in the Regional Tournament hosted at Cookeville on Thursday, May 8th!

Don't forget our banquet on Tuesday, May 6th! https://www.tophertennis.net/post/tennis-banquet-generations-tournament-photo-album