ELLA COLEMAN
FRESHMAN / BENTONVILLE HIGH SCHOOL
>> WHY SHE WON
Bentonville Tiger Ella Coleman, 14, earned her stripes during her very first season with the high school tennis team, and she also earned the title of All-Arkansas Preps Outstanding Player of the Year for Girls
Tennis. “I’m thankful for having a … high school team that is really supportive,” Coleman said. “It’s really exciting [to win this award].
I feel like it’s a great accomplishment, and I’m happy about it.” The freshman won the state Overall girls singles title this season, beating Mount St. Mary Academy senior Presley Southerland in straight sets during the championship match. Coleman lost to Presley 6-2, 6-1 in the 6A state finals but won the championship after Presley retired in the second set because of a back injury. Coleman said she learned from her mistakes during the state finals and worked to improve ball control and serve with more variety for the championship match. Emily Dillard, head tennis coach at Bentonville High School, said Coleman overcame adversity and demonstrated good sportsmanship during several matches this season. “I believe she has earned this recognition through hours of training, countless weekends traveling and overall determination to become the best in the state at this sport,” Dillard said.
“Ella makes me very proud to be a tennis coach, and to have her on the team has been a joy.” Ella’s mother, Amanda Coleman, said her daughter has had a competitive mindset since she first picked up a tennis racket at age 5 after her older sister had started the sport. “She has worked extremely hard for many years to see that hard work pay off — makes us very proud,” Amanda said. “The most important thing that makes us proud is that she is a sweet kid with a kind heart.” Ella said she hopes to keep the momentum she gained during her freshman year going throughout high school and into college. “It feels amazing [to have earned this award as a freshman],” she said. “I want to keep it going in the upcoming years, not take my foot off the pedal and just keep grinding.”
I WAS VERY EXCITED that I was able to get this award as a freshman, and I was actually surprised, too.” — Ella Coleman, OUTSTANDING PLAYER OF THE YEAR FOR GIRLS TENNIS