Grayson Transfer Shines for Archer Tennis

Syndie Madison knew when she moved from California to Grayson she would be active in sports. Her love for tennis had her on the junior varsity team as a freshman. Then Archer opened and since she couldn't drive, she had no choice but to go the new school. At least there she was on the varsity. And for coach Stacy White, she was her number one singles as a sophomore. Now as a junior, Madison is inspiring her teammates and has a passion for the sport. White had nothing but high praises for her junior transfer.

"Sydnie came to me last year and played No. 1 singles. She is my strongest player," White said. "She is very dedicated. She's plays tournaments and she's a team leader. She works hard at practice every day. She comes out and does her best at the matches even if she's down and gives it her all and goes till the very end."

After being on the junior varsity at Grayson, White knew when she transferred she'd  be a varsity player for her squad. Madison knew she couldn't stay at Grayson due to the rezoning and she wasn't old enough to drive. But Grayson's loss is Archer's gain. "She came right in and started on varsity for me," White said. "She has just been a real good team builder for our team. She comes off the court with a positive attitude. She encourages the other players on the team. She just has a great positive attitude. I've enjoyed having her on the team. And I might add she is very good in the classroom as well."

White knows that unlike football or basketball, her squad can compete with other schools although they are a newer school. The team struggled last season in 8-AAA but this year after moving up to 8-AAAAA, White's team has struggled at times, but is 3-0 in the region. "We're doing great so far," White said. "We're a lot stronger than we were last year. We've really come together as a team and that has showed on the court as well." Some of that can be attributed to Madison.

Madison, who admitted she didn't practice a lot in the off season, knows that she is going to be relied upon heavily. Madison is an excellent singles player and has a knack for getting to the ball. "She's great on her feet. She can anticipate where the ball is going to go," White said. "She's an excellent singles player as far as placing it. She knows where to place it (the ball). She's done a great job at singles."

Madison, who is African-American, knows that people will compare her to the Williams sister's, Serena and Venus, of tennis fame. But Madison's favorite players are not the Williams sisters, but Andre Agassi, Pete Samprass, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer. Archer's No. 1 boys tennis player is also African-American and White feels that sets the precedent for others to come out for the sport. "Both of them are amazing tennis players," White said. "I think that sets the precedents for the rest of the players. Any body can come in and be an excellent player."

Madison knows that with other sports like football you can't play them as long as you can tennis. "Tennis you can keep playing till you die," said Madison. "It's fun. It's a gentleman's sport. It's all mellow."

The sport is sometimes played and no officials are at the match so the competitors have to come to an agreement on the calls. "It's very hard and if you don't know it's in you have to call it in," Madison said. "It's harder because other sports get more money so they can get the referees."

But that's not stopping her. "I like Federer because I feel like when he  is playing is gliding all the time," Madison said. "He's calm and doesn't loose his cool. He used to but when he got better he is calm." Madison is left handed and likes Nadal because he uses his left hand often. "it's good to have another lefty out there," she said. "I like the Williams sisters because they are the most famous spokesperson for tennis and they are also African-American and you don't see many African-American's playing tennis. It's good to have other races in the sport."

Madison plays volleyball and soccer but feels her future is tennis. That is if she continues to play. "There are a lot of people at my school that say 'oh Sydnie is playing tennis' and I say it's not that easy," she said. "You have to keep practicing and I haven't practiced (like I should). I am getting back into it and playing tournaments." And when that happens the junior should be one of the top players in the county. "I just think tennis should get more credit than what we are given," she said. "I just wish other sports can get the credit like basketball and football."

Outside of tennis, Madison enjoys swimming and played soccer. Other than athletics she likes to hang out with friends and go to those "little parties." But unlike others her age, Madison doesn't play on Facebook for more than ten minutes at a time. "I'm more about let's study right now," Madison said. And that's why she will go far in life and more people should be like her. For that Sydnie Madison is our Athlete of the Week.