Patton High’s Taylor Frederickson was one of only two freshman girls to qualify for the 3A state tennis championships, held at the Burlington Tennis Center on Friday and Saturday.
She can chalk up a 6-0, 6-0 first-round loss to Weddington’s Jasmine Gabriel as a good learning experience.
“I felt very privileged to be among the top 16 high school singles players in North Carolina,” Frederickson said. “I felt like they took me under their wing like big sisters. They were supportive and fun to be around … makes me want to be like them. It was also good to see some of the girls make it to state that I have played at USTA tournaments.”
Gabriel, Frederickson’s foe in the round of 16, continued into Saturday’s semifinals after a 6-1, 6-0 quarterfinal victory later in the afternoon Friday.
“The girl she played was a senior (and) said to Taylor, ‘what year are you?’,” Taylor’s mother Lora Frederickson noted. “Taylor’s reply (was) ‘a freshman,’ and Jasmine said ‘I feel like a giant next to you’.”
Frederickson was the giant, though, for most of the year on the hardcourt, as she breezed through South Mountain 2A/3A Conference play, earning the league’s 3A singles crown to cap a stellar 18-4 year in singles play at the no. 1 slot for the Lady Panthers.
“Taylor had a phenomenal season, and I have been blessed to coach a great person who is also a great competitor on the court,” Patton coach Rob Gregory said. “Taylor has led the team by example, and I foresee her making the trip to the state championship many more times.
“I am so glad for her and all she’s accomplished this season, and I look forward to her next three years as a Panther.”
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