Scotland senior Marissa Smith was recently named to the tennis all-conference team. Here, she hits the ball during Scotland’s matchup with Union Pines in Laurinburg on Sept. 19. 
                                 File Photo

Scotland senior Marissa Smith was recently named to the tennis all-conference team. Here, she hits the ball during Scotland’s matchup with Union Pines in Laurinburg on Sept. 19.

File Photo

LAURINBURG —Scotland senior Marissa Smith was named to the All-Conference team for Sandhills Athletic Conference tennis on Tuesday morning. Smith was a captain on this year’s team that was coached by her father, Charles Smith.

Smith was one of many first-time tennis players a year ago when her dad took over a program that was long searching for a coach. They made some positive strides as a team this year, winning two games against Hoke County after not winning any games a season ago.

Smith’s growth was a big reason for their progress. Smith went 7-4 overall on the season during singles matchups, always giving the Scots a player they could rely on while playing anywhere from positions one to four at various points during the season. She would go 3-7 during doubles action, totaling an overall win-loss mark of 10-12 for the 2024 season.

Smith has also played on Scotland’s varsity softball team the past three years, showing she is a capable multi-sport athlete. Congratulations to Marissa and all involved in this incredible accomplishment!