Emma Gregg didn’t plan to follow her family’s tennis tradition, but the love of the game eventually took hold, and she isn’t looking back. She started on the court with her dad when she was four, but did not embrace the sport until her freshman year. “It came back to me and I love the sport,” she says.
Now a senior, Emma plays singles for the Altus High School tennis team. Connecting with the other girls and coaches is her favorite part of being on a team. “Tennis has taught me discipline and how to believe in myself more. I love the thrill of intense matches and coming out with a win,” she says.
“I come from a very long line of tennis players and I’ve grown up watching nothing but tennis so my family has definitely helped me become the player I am,” says Emma, “seeing how happy my dad was when he would come home from tournaments with trophies and medals makes me want to be the best I can be so I can blow him away.”
Emma’s biggest fans are her family. She says her brother is always the loudest person behind the fence and her grandparents never miss a match.
The teammate leaving the biggest impression is Kenli Greer. “When we play together it is such a mental game. She calms me down and helps me realize that I can’t let ‘scared’ get in the way. Kenli never fails to make me laugh on and off the court,” said Emma.
Coach Dabs is her favorite teacher. “He has made me feel so special and genuinely cares for his students and wants them to do good. He always cheers me on and makes me want to be the best I can for him,” she said.
Emma’s favorite part of being an AHS student-athlete is representing the sportsmanship and values of her school. “People can compliment our school and say things like ‘they have good manners’ or ‘they are very well behaved.’ There is always someone looking at you and watching when in and out of uniform,” she says.
In addition to tennis, Emma is an accomplished cheerleader with aspirations to cheer at the collegiate level.
