A funny coincidence turned into a great future opportunity for the Heritage Academy tennis team.
On Friday morning, two of the Patriots’ best tennis players this season signed to play at the next level.
Seniors Joshua Tedford and Kendall Moody officially signed their National Letters of Intent to continue their tennis careers at Northwest Mississippi Community College.
It was completely unplanned for both to be heading to Senatobia, but with head coach Billy “Gip” Clark having family ties to the school as his grandson currently plays for the team, it was perfect timing and the perfect combination.
“It takes a lot of court time,” Clark said. “They’ve disciplined themselves to get out there, and they’ve shown that same dedication, too.
“I know the coach at Northwest, so it’s great that they’re going after the local guys and girls.”
The two have helped to elevate the status of Heritage’s tennis program, with Tedford winning the MAIS Class 5A doubles title in 2021 and Moody quickly moving up the ranks over the last two years after transferring from New Hope.
Becoming a Ranger didn’t seem like a reality for either as their tennis careers first started, but to be able to sign that NLI on Friday and begin preparing mentally for the next level turned out to be a surreal feeling and moment.
“Time has flown for sure,” Tedford said. “It’s been a journey and I’m just excited to keep on going.”
It not only was surreal, but it was quite a relief with the tennis season ongoing for the Patriots, who have lost just one match so far this year.
Moody and Tedford are off to hot starts individually in doubles play, looking to build off the successes of years previous.
Having their college decisions already made is going to make this senior season that much more easy to navigate.
“It’s definitely a relief,” Moody said. “It’s some pressure off my shoulders to let me know I have something to fall back on.”
Knowing how tough tennis is, their achievements are that much more impressive as the sport isn’t necessarily the easiest to pick up and master.
So many intricacies of the game, from learning where to serve, how to mix up shot speeds, ball placement on a shot and — in doubles tennis — how to play and communicate with a teammate on the same side of the court can make things difficult.
From barely knowing the sport to being amongst the best in the Golden Triangle and in Northeast Mississippi, Tedford and Moody are ready to further enter their names into the conversation.
Clark and the coaching staff are excited to see them do just that.
“It’s great,” Clark said. “It feels like you’re doing some things right. The other great thing is that these are great kids. I love them to death, and I was telling several of the underclassmen that they might be standing here in a few years.
“It’s exciting for the school and for our tennis program. I couldn’t be more proud of them.”
The job is far from over for this season as well, with the Patriots returning from a week-long break and traveling to play Pontotoc at 3:30 p.m. Monday.
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