Academy News

Smith Stearns Tennis Academy salutes the 2022 graduating senior class! We’re so proud of all you’ve accomplished and are looking forward to what’s in store for your future. Thank you for your hard work and dedication while at SSTA! – Sincerely, Stan Smith, B.J. Stearns, and the entire Smith Stearns Tennis Academy Family   Graydon Buckingham U.S. Naval Academy Madison Cordisco Elon University  Jeffrey Etterbeek U.S. Naval Academy Ella Faessler College of Charleston Aidan Lee Colgate University Aathreya Mahesh James … read more

Senior Spotlight – Aathreya Mahesh   Name: Aathreya Mahesh Age: 18 Birthday: February 15 Hometown: Charlotte, North Carolina High School: Charlotte Latin & Laurel Springs Online College Commitment: James Madison University College  Mascot: Royal Duke Dog Collegiate Conference: Sun Belt   “Aathreya has really improved his game during his senior year and I feel confident he’ll continue to get better in college. He has very clean strokes and a great service motion. As he gets stronger,  it will be fun … read more

Smith Stearns Spring Signing Day 2022 What a gorgeous day on Hilton Head Island for the Smith Stearns Academy Spring 2022 Signing Day!     All the Seniors at the Academy were honored, as many seniors had participated in the Fall 2021 Signing Day.  Yet, on this day, special attention was directed towards three young men who more recently committed to colleges: Graydon Buckingham, Aathreya Mahesh and Charlie Piegza. These three student athletes will be graduating this May and have … read more

Senior Spotlight – David Saye Age: 17 Birthday: July 6 Hometown: Charlotte, NC High School: Laurel Springs College Commitment: Michigan State University College Mascot: Spartans Collegiate Conference: Big 10 Conference David Saye is a model of commitment and tenacity. Currently, he holds a Five-Star Recruit position on TennisRecruiting.net. Moreover, here’s his latest USTA rankings as of April 7, 2022: • Ranked No. 48 – Combined National • Ranked No. 5 – Southern Section • Ranked No. 2 – State of … read more

Senior Spotlight – Graydon Buckingham Name: Graydon Buckingham Age: 18 Birthday: January 16, 2004 Hometown: Houston, Texas Current Residence: Daufuskie Island, SC High School: Texas Tech University K-12 Online College Commitment: United States Naval Academy College Mascot: Midshipmen Collegiate Conference: Patriot League   We recently caught up with Graydon Buckingham, the eldest of the Buckingham tennis bunch, a local family of five young players who commute daily to Smith Stearns by boat across the Calibogue Sound from their home on … read more

Senior Spotlight – J.J. Etterbeek   Name: J.J. Etterbeek Age: 18 Birthday: September 22 Hometown: Detroit, MI High School: Brother Rice & Hilton Head Prep College Commitment: Naval Academy College Mascot: Billy the Goat Collegiate Conference: Patriot League “J.J. has a well-rounded overall game, and especially great groundstrokes. He’ll be a great team player and will thrive at the Naval Academy in the collegiate team environment. We can’t wait to see how he’ll succeed!”  – Smith Stearns Academy Director, B.J. … read more

Senior Spotlight – Mia Thomann “Since her arrival, Mia has worked as hard as any other, day- in and day-out. Her game has improved a ton and with great benefit. Williams College will be getting a superb student athlete who’ll perform great in college tennis.”  – B.J. Stearns, Academy Director   Name: Mia Thomann Age: 17 Birthday: August 7 Hometown: Chicago, IL High School: Laurel Springs College Commitment: Williams College College Mascot: Ephs (Purple Cow) Collegiate Conference: NESCAC Full of … read more