To be the best, you have to beat the best, and tennis players don't get a lot better than Melissa Coughlin.
The Auburn senior has overcome some past obstacles this season en route to a 10-0 record. Now all she wants is a Section III title - or better yet a state championship.
“(Being undefeated) has been a lot of pressure, but also a lot of fun,” Coughlin said. “I'm more worried about sectionals, but I'm glad that I've been beating people that I've lost to my whole career.”
Coughlin set the tone for the season during the first match against Liverpool, when she beat Brianna Vogue (6-2, 6-3) for the first time in three years.
“I knew that she would do well this season,” Auburn coach Shelly Connors said. “I was a little nervous about her first match, but her winning it put a lot of self confidence in her for the rest of the season.”
Coughlin was in disbelief when she finally defeated Vogue, but recognized how big the victory was for her.
“It was exciting and amazing,” Coughlin said. “I was very happy and I felt really accomplished.”
Now all the first singles player has to do is get past the second round of sectionals, a spot where she has gotten stuck the last two seasons. But now, Coughlin has improved her play by fixing her head and that has been the difference.
“I've improved on my mental game mostly,” Coughlin said. “I've got the game more in focus, as opposed to when I was younger I used to let other players on the court get to me. This year, I can just ignore it and play my game.”
The senior standout started playing varsity tennis as a third singles player in seventh grade. Connors bumped her up to first singles a year later.
“She became the best player on the team,” Connors said. “She was beating everybody. Her stroke has always been strong, but she has gotten bigger and more powerful over the years, but the difference this year has been her self confidence. She's been able to change her game up, getting the ball over other players' heads and more sound. She's become a more well rounded player because of her conditioning.”
Coughlin's amazing season couldn't have come at a better time. She was already a Division I prospect before the season began, but next year she will be the youngest player on a fortunate Division I squad afte rshe graduates in June - after just three years of high school. While she was dominating on the court over the last several seasons, she was doubling up on classes and getting rid of lunches and study halls to get into college earlier.
That's unfortunate for Auburn girls tennis, but great for whatever school Coughlin decides on.
“I understand why she's doing it and I'm grateful that I've had her for the five years, so I can't say that I'm disappointed,” Connors said. “She is a very intelligent girl and she should grab every opportunity that comes her way.”
“(Being undefeated) has been a lot of pressure, but also a lot of fun,” Coughlin said. “I'm more worried about sectionals, but I'm glad that I've been beating people that I've lost to my whole career.”
Coughlin set the tone for the season during the first match against Liverpool, when she beat Brianna Vogue (6-2, 6-3) for the first time in three years.
“I knew that she would do well this season,” Auburn coach Shelly Connors said. “I was a little nervous about her first match, but her winning it put a lot of self confidence in her for the rest of the season.”
Coughlin was in disbelief when she finally defeated Vogue, but recognized how big the victory was for her.
“It was exciting and amazing,” Coughlin said. “I was very happy and I felt really accomplished.”
Now all the first singles player has to do is get past the second round of sectionals, a spot where she has gotten stuck the last two seasons. But now, Coughlin has improved her play by fixing her head and that has been the difference.
“I've improved on my mental game mostly,” Coughlin said. “I've got the game more in focus, as opposed to when I was younger I used to let other players on the court get to me. This year, I can just ignore it and play my game.”
The senior standout started playing varsity tennis as a third singles player in seventh grade. Connors bumped her up to first singles a year later.
“She became the best player on the team,” Connors said. “She was beating everybody. Her stroke has always been strong, but she has gotten bigger and more powerful over the years, but the difference this year has been her self confidence. She's been able to change her game up, getting the ball over other players' heads and more sound. She's become a more well rounded player because of her conditioning.”
Coughlin's amazing season couldn't have come at a better time. She was already a Division I prospect before the season began, but next year she will be the youngest player on a fortunate Division I squad afte rshe graduates in June - after just three years of high school. While she was dominating on the court over the last several seasons, she was doubling up on classes and getting rid of lunches and study halls to get into college earlier.
That's unfortunate for Auburn girls tennis, but great for whatever school Coughlin decides on.
“I understand why she's doing it and I'm grateful that I've had her for the five years, so I can't say that I'm disappointed,” Connors said. “She is a very intelligent girl and she should grab every opportunity that comes her way.”
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