Tennis: Scott sees big gains in game

Former Otago No1 Libby Scott. Photo supplied.
Former Otago No1 Libby Scott. Photo supplied.
Former Otago No1 Libby Scott says her tennis has ''developed hugely'' while at college in the United States.

Scott has just completed her junior season at Coastal Carolina University in Conway, South Carolina.

She has had a hectic recent schedule with exams but has had some time to reflect on a very satisfying college experience so far.

''My tennis has developed hugely since being in the States for the past three years,'' Scott told the Otago Daily Times in an email.

''Having dedicated coaches and team-mates really helps motivate you to do your best in both practice and in matches.

''I have really enjoyed this season. We had a few new players added to the line-up with a lot of talent, which helped the team immensely.

''My best performance this year was probably being undefeated in conference play as the No1 singles player - that was an exciting moment - and also being nationally ranked for doubles.''

Scott (21) led the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers women's tennis team to the Big South conference regular season championship, and a runner-up place in the final of the conference tournament.

She was named an All-Big South singles selection for the third straight season, finishing with an 8-0 record in conference play at the No 1 spot and an overall singles record of 13-5.

Her most notable conference victory came against Charleston Southern's Marketa Placha, who was named the Big South player of the year and was previously undefeated.

Scott, named the conference's player of the week three times, and sophomore team-mate Marie Babayan were ranked inside the top 100 - 89th - of all doubles pairings by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association.

Scott and Babayan lost just one of their nine matches, finishing with a 5-1 record against Big South opponents.

The former St Hilda's Collegiate pupil is majoring in psychology and, three years after leaving Dunedin, now faces her senior year.

''I only have one more year left, which is pretty hard to believe,'' she said.

''College is great fun. It is such a fun atmosphere and there is always something exciting going on. It is awesome meeting all the athletes and hanging out with them.''

Scott is staying in the United States over the American summer and doing some travelling, before heading to Maine to do an internship at a summer camp.

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