Parkers Chapel’s Tatum Watson has played a key role in three straight tennis championships, including advancing to the semifinals in doubles the last two seasons.
The senior’s role won’t be any smaller this season. She will lead the four-time defending champion Lady Trojans into the 2A State Tournament as the team’s No. 1 singles player.
The tournament begins Monday at Creekmore Tennis Center in Fort Smith.
Parkers Chapel has dominated 2A girls tennis recently. But last year’s team lost a senior class that included three All-State performers.
“There’s always pressure no matter what. If you care and want to win, the pressure will never change,” said Watson. “It’s a great legacy to go off of and it feels great to be able to keep it going.”
Watson hasn’t played singles since the ninth grade. This season, she posted a 9-1 singles record and won the 2A 6 District championship.
“I feel like my season has gone pretty great,” she said. “There’s some games I feel like couldn’t have gone any better. And there’s some that I wish went a little bit smoother. I’ve played against some amazing girls and this season has given me the best memories of senior year.”
The 5-foot-9 Watson admitted adjusting to singles after playing doubles for two years was far from a walk in the park.
“I think it’s been a lot more than I thought it would be. It’s been challenging but the result of that has made me stronger physically and mentally,” she said. “Pushing yourself makes you a better athlete.
“In doubles I worked the net a lot. It’s become a major part of my singles game. It’s very useful to get you those extra easy points.”
With a relatively young squad, Parkers Chapel will count on Watson getting a lot of easy points. The Lady Trojans need a big effort from the senior if they hope to have any chance of pushing for another title.
“Tatum has the talent and the drive to lead the girls to the title,” said Parkers Chapel coach Julie Battisto. “As long as she stays focused on her ultimate goal, she’s going to prove that she deserves to be number one.”
Pressure is a privilege for Watson but staying poised and calm will be crucial if she hopes to navigate through a tough bracket.
“My goal is to improve and show that I am meant to be there. I worked my way to be here and I intend to show that. I want my team to just have fun and do what they do best. People will always remember going to a state tournament,” she said.
“My key will be my whole game. I’ve worked so hard to prove I'm meant to be here. The endless lessons with Robert Holmes are challenging but they have made me prepared. I’ve got to make it my goal to want it more than anyone else.”