Jones Senior sophomore makes school history in girls' tennis
Jones Senior’s Marion Jones, left, stands next to first-year coach Kayli Kreais Thursday. Jones will be the Trojans’ first girls’ tennis player to advance to the NCHSAA 1A Regionals when it starts Oct. 18. Photo by Junious Smith III / Neuse News
By Junious Smith III
TRENTON — Jones Senior’s has its first Regional representative in girls’ tennis.
During the Coastal Plains Conference tournament Tuesday, Marion Jones was able to win the championship match, propelling her to the NCHSAA 1A Regionals in Greenville Oct. 18-19. The sophomore said it’s a blessing to accomplish the feat as the team garners more attention.
“It feels really good to be able to represent Jones County,” Jones said. “I think people are starting to see that we do have a tennis team and we’ve had a pretty good year.”
Jones Senior went 3-4 on the season and the six members were all able to advance past the first round of the CPC tournament. Dymond Foye won a match in singles, while doubles partners Katie Beckwith and Khadijah Williams, along with Marissa Mann and Jamya Perry also picked up first-round victories.
First-year coach Kayli Kreais said the team’s camaraderie has been phenomenal throughout the year.
“We have a great group of girls, who get along and genuinely enjoy the game,” Kreais said. “We have fun in practice, but we also work hard and that’s allowed us to have this type of success.”
There are plans to grow the team, as there are four seniors on this year’s team.
“I definitely want to have a tennis camp in the summer,” Kreais said. “I’m not sure when we’ll put it together, but it’s going to happen.”
For Jones, she said she’ll be under no pressure to perform in Greenville.
“I’m going out there to give it my best shot,” Jones said. “To make it out here is an accomplishment — nobody would’ve thought Jones Senior would have a representative — so I’m going to appreciate my time here and play my best.”
“My mom convinced me to play and I’ve taken private lessons for years,” Jones said. “
