Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Freshman Payne living up to Jonesboro expectations
Jenna Payne hopes to continue a long Jonesboro tennis tradition.
Payne, a freshman for the Hurricane, advanced to today’s semifinals of the Overall girls tennis tournament with a 6-0, 6-0 quarterfinal victory over
Jenna Berry of Ridgefield Christian at the Burns Park
Tennis Complex in North Little Rock.
Jonesboro has won 12 girls state tennis titles — the third most among Arkansas girls programs — including the Class 5A title last week. Payne’s three-set victory over two-time defending state champion Emily Heide of Mountain Home has pushed the Jonesboro freshman into the spotlight.
“It’s nerve-wracking playing for Jonesboro because they’ve won so much and a lot is expected of you,” Payne said. “And since I’m the only one representing Jonesboro (in the Overall) and I’m still a freshman, it’s kind of unbelievable. But I’ve enjoyed the challenge and all of the people have been so supportive. It’s helped my confidence a lot.”
Payne will play Bentonville senior Lucia Canigova in today’s 9 a.m. semifinal. Class 6A state champion Mary Houston of Fayetteville and Heide will meet in the other semifinal. The two winners will play each other at 1 p.m. for the Overall title.
Payne lost to Heide during the regular season, but it remains her only loss of her high school career. She bounced back with three-set victories over Heide in both the 5A-East Conference finals and the 5A state tournament.
Prior to the conference final meeting, Payne said she was diagnosed with tennis elbow but was determined to fight through the pain.
“I had never beaten her before in high school or USTA play,” Payne said of her victory over Heide in the conference finals. “It took me three full sets. I walked into that match thinking I’m going to put my whole heart out to win this match.
“I’ve always looked up to Emily, and now to know I can hang with her and others who are so well advanced in tennis, it really means a lot to me.”
The top-seeded doubles team of Grace Coleman and Yasmine Humbert of Fayetteville advanced to today’s semifinals with a 6-1, 6-1 victory over Brianna and Barbara Phillips of Lisa Academy. Coleman and Humbert will play Lowery West and Anne Marie DeLuca of Episcopal in today’s semifinals.
The other doubles semifinal match will feature Ashlee Shinabery and Evelyn Maurras of Valley View against Caroline Long and Brittany Matthews of Rogers.