By Thomas Sellers Jr.
MURFREESBORO – On the list of the eight competitors to reach the Division I Large School Girls Singles State Tournament, some might be surprised to see Brighton’s Maddie Peters.
But those who know the junior like Brighton Tennis Coach Kim Greer knew Peters had the capability to reach the final TSSAA tennis tournament of 2021.
“Just hard work and a lot of time in Memphis playing at St. George’s Clinic,” Greer reflected. “She’s spent a lot of time down there working and playing in tournaments every weekend. She’s played as our No. 2 this year. Through the year I think she went 14-1 with her only loss to the Collierville girl. She won the district and the Region.”
The District 13-3A and Region 7-3A champion reached the Adams Tennis Complex at Old Fort Park in Murfreesboro to take on Lucy Higgins of Lincoln County. The senior jumped out early against Peters winning the first set 6-0.
“She always start off a little bit slow,” Greer acknowledged about Peters. “She was down 3-0 in districts and then rallied back to win. She’s really surgical in her strategy. She defends the point and moves the other player around left to right. She’s going to make them make the mistake – not her.”
In the second set Peters made points last longer and started to move Higgins around the hard court with backhand returns and a stronger forehand shot. Despite reaching a comfort level, Peters’ stay at State ended by the score of 6-0, 6-1.
“Her serve is better than it was three weeks ago,” Greer noted. “Her ground strokes are better. She’s just a little nervous now, her first time at State.”
Peters’ journey to State started by playing in middle school and then joining the Lady Cardinal program. Her freshman year saw her progression to one of the top players for Brighton.
Then COVID-19 stole her second year on the varsity level.
“She might have made it her sophomore so this is a big deal,” Greer said. “For her to be our No. 2 all year and be here going through beating everybody.
“What else that sets her above everybody else is that she stays calm,” he concluded. “She never gets upset. She’s the ultimate sportsperson. Just a great student and everything you want in a kid. Her future is bright.”
