- Senior Spotlight: Sydnee Wheeler

Sydnee Wheeler Hometown: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania College Commitment: Niagara University   Originally from Pittsburgh, Sydnee and her family moved to the Hilton Head area when she was around 10 years old. She started in some clinics with Jolene that motivated her to take up tennis. In the 8th grade, Sydnee started at the academy on a full-time basis and has since developed into one of the top players in South Carolina. It has been amazing to watch Sydnee grow into a … read more

- College Alumni Roundup

        Last year was a historic year for five former Smith Stearns students who competed in the National Championship Match in Athens, Georgia. Kaitlin Ray and Catherine Harrison were on the UCLA Bruins Championship team that defeated Hayley Carter, Caroline Price, and Whitney Kay of the UNC Tar Heel’s in a hard fought 4-3 win to earn the NCAA title.                   It was a special moment for Smith Stearns … read more

- Senior Spotlight: Mariana Gould

Mariana Gould Hometown: Boise, Idaho College Commitment: University of Georgia   A top national player for most of her junior career, Mariana knew she had to make a decision and leave Boise in order to further pursue her game at a high level. She visited the academy and immediately loved the coaches and the people and knew it would be a great spot for her to call her second home. Mariana and her family made the trip across the country … read more

- Senior Spotlight: Katelyn Jackson

Katelyn Jackson Hometown: Little Rock, Arkansas College Commitment: Texas Tech University   Following in the footsteps of another Little Rock native, Katelyn Jackson came to the academy three years ago at the advice of former student Kaitlin Ray, to attend one the summer camps. It was love at first site as she instantly new it was the right fit for her to pursue her tennis, and decided to become a full-time student and make Smith Stearns her “second home”. Since … read more

- Senior Spotlight: Kelly Mengel

Kelly Mengel Hometown: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania College Commitment: Penn State University   Kelly Mengel knows very well what the word perseverance means. Formerly a five star player on Tennis Recruiting, Kelly has battled through injuries over the years, and when many may have stopped, Kelly continued to keep trying, showing her true dedication and love for the game. After her setbacks, she got even more serious, deciding that she would move to the academy to improve her tennis game in a … read more

- Senior Spotlight: Harrison O'Keefe

Harrison O’Keefe Hometown: Salem, Virginia College Commitment: University of South Carolina   Visiting the academy on breaks throughout his junior career, Harrison decided to make Smith Stearns his training base when he moved down on a full-time basis over two years ago. Since then his tennis has excelled and he has become one of the top players in the nation. His dedication and hardwork has helped him succeed, as well as getting to play against other top players at the … read more

- Senior Spotlight: Jack O'Koniewski

Jack O’Koniewski Hometown: Needham, Massachusetts College Commitment: Denison University   Originally from the Boston area, Jack and his family moved the academy over seven years ago so that he and his sister could get a high level of tennis training in a family style environment. A place that they would feel comfortable calling their new home. Over the years, everyone at the academy has watched Jack transform into the amazing young man he has become, someone so genuine and sincere. … read more

- Senior Spotlight: Samantha Russell

Samantha Russell Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia College Commitment: Wofford College   Samantha has been attending Smith Stearns on and off in the summers since she was ten years old. In sixth grade, her family decided to come for a year and that is when everyone really got to know what a wonderful kid she really was. Samantha took lessons with Billy and they both really enjoyed them. After moving back to Atlanta, Samantha trained at the academy in the summer before … read more

- Senior Spotlight: Jiri Honajzer

Jiri Honajzer Hometown: Zlin, Czech Republic College Commitment: New York University (NYU)   After a getting a recommendation to attend the academy from a former student, Jiri moved to Smith Stearns two years ago from the Czech Republic to better improve his tennis game and set himself up for an opportunity to attend a great U.S. college. During his time at the academy, Jiri has shown a great desire to succeed in both his tennis and academics. He is an … read more

- Senior Spotlight: Carsten Fisher

  Carsten Fisher Hometown: Cape Town, South Africa College Commitment: University of Dayton   An academy member for the past 3 years, Carsten chose to come to Smith Stearns to be in a competitive training environment that would help him improve his game. He has since developed into a great tennis player while showing a lot of character both on and off the court. His engaging and upbeat personality is what sets him apart and makes him enjoyable for the … read more