Local Sports
The Times Prep Tennis Player of the Year
By Michael A. CummingsWhen Allison Howell took home a state title in late April, it’s safe to say few expected it.
After all, Howell’s singles triumph was the first for Cullman High’s girls tennis team since 1998 — when the Bearcats freshman could still count her age on one hand.
So if Howell seemed like a long shot for a state championship to Cullman tennis coach Nathan Bates, no one would have batted an eye lash.
But there’s just one thing: Bates actually expected it. No kidding.
“I didn’t talk to her about it, but I actually kind of expected her to win it during the season,” said Bates, who recently finished his fourth season in charge of Cullman’s boys and girls tennis teams. “She has the tools to win it and she has the mindset to win it, so it really didn’t surprise me at all.”
For her amazing run to the No. 6 singles title at the Class 5A state tournament in Mobile, Howell has been named The Times Prep Tennis Player of the Year.
Howell’s top finish in the No. 6 singles slot helped Cullman’s girls team place fourth overall at the state tournament — their best finish during Bates’ tenure as head coach.
No. 4 player Hannah Cornelius also reached the finals of her bracket, and Cullman’s No. 1 doubles team of Katie Sharpton and Laura Evans reached the semifinals.
But Howell’s was the biggest of several big performances for the Bearcats at state. After going down 4-1 during her semifinal match against Muscle Shoals, the freshman reeled off five straight points to take the first set, and then won the second set 6-5.
Howell took the championship match 6-4, 3-6, 6-0 over Briarwood Christian.
“When she had a chance to take it all in, I told her about how big of an accomplishment it was,” said Bates. “It had been over 10 years since anyone from Cullman, as far as the girls, had won a state title.”
Despite the long title drought, Bates knew he had a player in Howell who was capable of doing great things. Not only is the freshman a solid athlete, she also has what Bates called “the mindset of a fighter.”
“She’s willing to stay out there as long as it takes to win each point,” said Bates. “It might be the longest point you’ve ever seen, but she’ll keep fighting for it.”
Thanks to a background playing soccer, Howell also possesses the quick feet of a championship tennis player.
“She’s got great feet — as quick as a cat,” said Bates.
With Howell’s historic singles win in the books, Bates said he hopes more success will follow Cullman’s tennis team. And with a talented and young roster at his disposal, Bates thinks the sky is the limit.
“That’s something I’ve talked to the players about, that Cullman tennis has a great history,” said Bates. “But our whole thing is, let’s make our own history … give Cullman tennis a big name, like it had years ago.”
Michael Cummings can be reached by e-mail at michaelc@cullmantimes.com or by telephone at 734-2131, ext. 258.
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