Cookeville senior Cade Smith concluded his tennis career as a Cavalier Thursday.
Smith has been playing tennis since the eighth grade. Cade was part of an undefeated regular season this past spring, starting 20-0 before losing in the state tournament. Smith said playing tennis has left a lasting impression.
“It really impacted me,” Smith said. “I started off just loving it. I walked out there thinking I was the worst player ever, and, you know, our first matches we won.”
Smith said he got to develop friendships along the way. Among the friendships he has is with fellow senior Isaac Wheeler. Smith said coming out with his friends really made him love the game.
“It means a lot,” Smith said. “Even though it’s an individual sport, being [on] a team means a lot.”
Smith said the decision to play tennis was in the spur of the moment.
“I saw myself in the spring of eighth grade not really having much to do,” Smith said. “And I was interested possibly in tennis and so the Algood Middle School tennis coach called me and said hey, do you want to join the team, and that was kind of that and I joined the next day.”
Cade Smith graduated from Cookeville High School last week. He will be heading to college at Freed-Hardeman University in Henderson. Smith said he plans on majoring in Bible with a focus on youth ministry.
