On May 13 and 14, freshman Jacy Smith competed in the state tennis tournament at Texas A&M.

After rain delay on May 13, and rounds being pushed into May 14, Smith placed third overall.

In the first round Smith defeated her opponent in two straight sets going 6-3, 6-1.

Smith played in the semi-fnal match on day two where she dropped the first set 6-1.

Though she battled from behind in the second set she ended up dropping it to her Saginaw opponent 7-5.

Following her year’s accomplishments, Smith and her coach anticipate next year’s accomplishments. With support from her parents and coaches, Smith looks to set the bar higher for next season.

“[My parents and coach] were really proud of me,” Smith said. “My coach was especially really proud because it was his first time going to state in 29 years.”

Smith faced persistent delay in her matches due to weather, and nerves became an issue for both her and her coach as the rain continued.

“As far as [the rain effect on] her playing, it’s not the strokes, not the ability to play, it’s the ‘get ready, sit down and rest’,” tennis coach Randy Stewart said. “Getting ready on and off, it’s hard, it [affected her] some. When we got there we didn’t get to start right on, we’d go back in and wait.”

With Smith’s many achievements, her coach expects her to perform at the same level next year.

“[Jacy shouldn’t expect any] less than what she did this year, she’s a hard worker,” Stewart said. “She does all the extra things. She does the extra work and is a great example for the other players on the team. She qualified for state through the extra efforts that she put in.”