Annie '16 and Kelly '14 named to All-State Tennis Team

fm
by Fred McMane

Freshman Annie M. and junior Kelly B., who led Foxcroft School’s tennis team to berth in the semifinals of the Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association Division II tournament, have received First Team All-State honors, Athletic Director Michelle Woodruff announced Friday.

The tennis players join five other Foxcroft athletes named to All-State Teams this fall. Junior Amy E. earned All-State honors at the VISAA Cross Country Championships Nov. 9 and four members of Foxcroft’s second-ranked and state tournament runners-up field hockey team were named All-State in mid-November. The field hockey players are seniors Caroline F. and Olivia Jane and juniors Alicia H. and Lilly M..
Annie, the team’s No. 2 singles player and a member of the All-Delaney Athletic Conference First Team, compiled a 14-2 record in singles play and teamed with Mary Marshall Pierce '13 of Middleburg to post a 12-4 record in doubles.

As the No. 3 singles player Kelly posted a 15-2 record and was named the team’s Most Valuable Player by Foxcroft School’s second-year coach, Kate Barston. Buckland also teamed with No. 1 singles Amalia Simpson '14 to go 17-0 as the No. 1 doubles team.

The two girls have had different roads to success. Kelly played on two state tournament teams at Stephen’s/St. Agnes School in Alexandria before transferring to Foxcroft this fall. Annie had never played tennis competitively, although she took up the sport at age 12.

“I had only ever done clinics and hit with my dad,” Annie said. “It was terrifying at first, but as the season progressed I loved every minute of it. I think what prepared me for high school tennis was when I began to do clinics in Warrenton with other players who had been playing much longer than me and who were older. It pushed me to want to do better so I could beat them.”

Annie said she never expected to achieve such personal heights in the sport.

“I was really surprised when I found out [about making all-state],” she said. “I never thought that in my first year I would receive praise of any sort for my tennis. My goal now is to not let any of this go to my head. That way I won’t feel any pressure and I can enjoy tennis like I always have.”

Annie showed great resolve on the court. In the finals of the DAC tournament she lost a close 9-7 match against a player from Fredericksburg Academy, but she came back to beat the same girl, 10-6, in the VISAA Division II semifinals. In the first round of the states, Annie defeated a girl from Norfolk Christian, 10-0, then teamed with Pierce to win her doubles match, 10-4.

“She is a naturally talented tennis player who has unbelievable court awareness and finish,” Barston said. “Her serve and forehand are her most powerful strokes.”
Buckland’s journey was much different and at times filled with despair. She began playing competitively as a middle school student at St. Stephens/St. Agnes in Alexandria then made the school’s varsity as a freshman. In her first year of varsity competition, the SSSA team reached the state semifinals. In her sophomore year, they were state runners-up.

But Kelly, also a talented lacrosse player, suffered a series of injuries, including a serious concussion during Christmas break a year ago that forced her to put down her racquet for four months. When two of her best friends decided to transfer to other schools she began to rethink her situation.

“In the middle of my sophomore year I hit a rough streak both physically and socially,” Kelly said. “I also wasn’t really happy with the environment of the school, but I tried sticking it out. By the end of that academic year, I was becoming really unhappy and increasingly stressed about everything. My mom recognized this and made me seriously consider coming to Foxcroft. Both of my sisters attended Foxcroft for four years and they have always hoped I would attend. They knew I would like it better.
One week before school started at St. Stephen’s/St. Agnes, I came to Foxcroft and had my interview and my whole family felt it would be a better fit for all my needs. The first night I spent at Foxcroft, I knew I was right about my decision and I have been happy about it ever since.”

SSSA’s loss was Foxcroft’s gain. In the DAC finals against Fredericksburg Academy, Kelly was the only Foxcroft player to emerge as a winner, defeating her opponent, 8-0. She defeated that same player, 10-4, in the state semifinals. In the first round of the states she defeated a player from Norfolk Christian Academy, 10-0.

“She understands ball placement and how to play smart and aggressive,” Barston said.

Kelly, who was used to being part of a winning program at SSSA, knew that Foxcroft’s tennis program had been struggling in recent years. But she was won over right away by the attitude of the coaches and the depth of the team.
 
“When I came to Foxcroft, I was very impressed with the coaches and the strength of the team. It was not just a couple people carrying the weight, but everyone was involved in helping us get as far as we did,” she said. “I'm very proud of how well our team worked this year. I never imagined we would've been this good.”
If an award was given to the team that was most improved, Foxcroft would certainly have been a major candidate. The team went 1-9 a year ago and finished this year with an 11-5 record.

"This was an incredible season,” Barston said. “I don't think the girls knew how far we'd come; making an appearance in the DAC finals and the semifinals of the state tournament. We have a program that is no longer in the beginning stages. Reflecting back on the season I'm incredibly proud. We always stayed focused and maintained the values of a Foxcroft athlete. These girls and team have a bright future."
Back
This website uses cookies to ensure the best experience for visitors to our website.
By continuing to use this website, you consent to our use of these cookies.
See our Privacy Policy for additional information.



An all-girls boarding and day school in Northern Virginia, Foxcroft prepares young women in grades 9-12 for success in college and in life. Our outstanding academic program offers challenging courses, including Advanced Placement classes and an innovative STEM program. Our premiere equestrian program is nationally recognized, and our athletic teams have won conference and state championships. Experience the best in girls' boarding schools: visit Foxcroft.