A Match Made By Chance

Three years ago West Ashley High School senior Jasmyne Taylor decided to start playing competitive tennis again. When she was younger her grandmother, who also was a tennis player, encouraged her to get into the sport. “My grandmother got me a racket and so I figured I should go and play and I realized] I was pretty good,” says Taylor. During her sophomore year she wanted something to focus on other than academics, so she picked up her racket and joined the WAHS Girls Tennis Team.
“Last year she played mainly doubles, but this year Taylor has moved into the #4 singles slot. She won her match against Ashley Hall last week, coming back in the 3rd set tiebreaker to win 10-8,” says Head Coach Jaima Kennedy. “I think a lot more people [on the team] have confidence, and because of that, we’re playing harder this year,” says Taylor. So far this season, Taylor has already won two of her three matches.
Taylor focuses on strengthening her weaknesses by being more consistent on the court. This season, she’s working hard to hit fastballs when she serves and, most importantly, she has been focusing on staying in the middle position on the court. Like last year, her main goal is to make it back to the playoffs and win her singles match.
“Coach Kennedy is really nice and helpful,” says Taylor. With the support of her teammates and the helpful coaching tips from Coach Kennedy, Taylor says she is confident that she and the team will be successful this season.
Before joining the tennis team, Taylor competed in the WAHS Academic Bowl and excels in the classroom. She’s currently a member of National Honor Society and the WAHS Interact Club. In her free time, she loves to go shopping, draw, and build things. “I like putting stuff together,” says Taylor.
After Taylor graduates from WAHS, she plans to attend the University of South Carolina where she will major in psychology. “I’m always helping my friends with problems. I’m always coaching them, so I figured I might as well get paid,” says Taylor. She feels that one piece of advice she has given to her friends is better than most: Don’t worry about other people; just worry about yourself.
Taylor will continue to play tennis in college, but because she wants to focus more on academics, she does not plan to play it competitively.