Newton County senior Britney Murphree may not have played high school tennis but she’s headed to one of the state’s top junior college programs none the less.
Murphree signed to play with Meridian Community College last week and joins one the state’s and country’s top junior college tennis programs.
Murphree was signed despite not playing in high school but got most of her experience playing USTA tournament. She also comes from a tennis family.
“My brother had played before me and I had seen him play and thought I would like it,” Murphree said. “My dad said I should give it a shot, so I started playing and loved it.”
Murphree said going to Meridian was an easy choice.
“It’s awesome and feels good,” Murphree said. “Everyone was really nice and it was close to home. I just really liked it there.”
Murphree has been under the direction of Northwood Country Club pro Anthony Hiatt the last four years.
“I had worked with her brother previously and go to know the family,” Hiatt said. “Britney has come along and been a very hard worker. I’m real proud of her for getting this far.
“Her mental toughness and ability to keep going no matter what happens on the court, that something that you can’t teach. She might lose a match or a set but she never gets down. She bounces right back. She goes right back out the next day to work harder.”
Murphree said she plans to major in speech and language pathology at MCC.
