By Carson Lambert

clambert@civitasmedia.com

Madyson Murphy signs her commitment to play tennis at Columbia College. She is joined by, in no particular order, MCHS athletics director Louie Alexander, tennis coach Kenny Sanders, Columbia College tennis coach Nancy Powell, JTT coach Les Arkin, private coach Dainyell Fox, assistant principals Meda Epps and Zeb Reid, mother Shannon Murphy, father Terry Murphy and sister Kayla Murphy.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_Murphy.jpgMadyson Murphy signs her commitment to play tennis at Columbia College. She is joined by, in no particular order, MCHS athletics director Louie Alexander, tennis coach Kenny Sanders, Columbia College tennis coach Nancy Powell, JTT coach Les Arkin, private coach Dainyell Fox, assistant principals Meda Epps and Zeb Reid, mother Shannon Murphy, father Terry Murphy and sister Kayla Murphy. Carson Lambert | The Newberry Observer

PROSPERITY — Mid-Carolina High School senior Madyson Murphy has signed with Columbia College to play tennis.

Murphy, 18, began playing for Mid-Carolina in the seventh grade, finishing her career with an overall record of 62-12.

“I’m going to miss her. I really am,” said MCHS head tennis coach Kenny Sanders.

The team’s overall record the past four years was 52-5 and Sanders said Murphy was a major part of this achievement.

“Four out of those five losses came from teams that either won a state championship or played for a state championship the year we lost to them,” Sanders said.

Already competing in softball, Murphy was encouraged to try tennis by Sanders whose wife worked with Murphy’s mother, Shannon.

“He wanted me to pick up a tennis racket and just see where it took off from there and I ended up loving it,” Murphy said.

When it was time to start shopping for colleges Murphy considered Newberry College but made her decision based on scholarships and athletic facilities.

“Everything’s really nice and I think that I can become a better person from going to Columbia College,” she said.

Murphy’s father, Terry, was actually Mid-Carolina’s softball coach for 10 seasons and was able to help his daughter prepare for the next level.

“Student athletes have to work hard in school, they have to keep their grades up, they have to be at practice everyday and I think being a coach’s daughter she understood what was expected,” he said. “There’s a set of expectations I had for my student athletes and I didn’t expect any less from my own children. I may have even expected a little more out of them.”

Columbia College head tennis coach Nancy Powell said she made a point to come out and see Murphy play as she was already familiar with Murphy’s background as a player.

“One of the key things for me is looking at a player’s background, meaning you just don’t play high school tennis,” Powell said. “You’ve got to have put some time and effort into it such as taking lessons and playing somewhere other than just high school.”

In addition to her duties on the court Powell recognizes the mentoring opportunities that come with her position.

“One of my jobs is to get them acclimated to college life, which is tough,” Powell said. “The players have pretty much 24/7 access to me. They have my cell phone number, they have my email address and my office is always open.”

Reach Carson Lambert at 803-276-0625, ext. 1868, or on Twitter @TheNBOnews.