By By Ray McKeithan, Associate Publisher
The clean “pop” of tennis ball to strings filled the early morning air at Washington Racquet Club on Friday.
Jenny Moores was at it again. The 15 year-old was in the midst of another training session with her coach, Russ Ferrari. “Jenny has a very composed game,” said Ferrari. “She has collegiate-level skills and a great amount of mental toughness. Her complete game is the biggest reason for her success.”
Success to Jenny Moores means winning tennis tournaments. Big tournaments. Last week she breezed through opponents on her way to a 6-0, 6-0 shutout in the finals of the Southern United States, level-four tournament comprised of the best qualifying players from nine states. Moores failed to lose a set in the entire tournament.
On this morning, she took a break from pounding balls with laser-guided accuracy for a brief interview. With success comes confidence, but Moores has humility in abundance and was clearly uncomfortable talking about her achievements: “I work hard and really enjoy playing tennis. I hope one day I can get a college scholarship.”
Russ Ferrari, himself a division one college player at Appalachian State, thinks her prospects are, “very good. She has the determination, talent and drive to get a scholarship, and possibly go pro.” Ferrari is a teaching pro at the facility and works with many local players during the summer.
Moores’ tennis development is possible with the freedom online schooling provides. She has the flexibility of working practice sessions in with class time while excelling in both areas. When asked if so much tennis has become a chore, she quickly replies, “No, I LOVE it … I enjoy the travel and competition and spending time with my Dad.” The future tennis star maintains a life as well balanced as her world-class backhand. She plays up to 30 tournaments a year across the Southern United States but still finds time for fun with friends and sailing on the Pamlico.
The father, also an accomplished player and coach, takes an active role in his daughter’s tennis development. “I work with her some and feed balls to her, but she receives excellent instruction from Russ Ferrari. I’m very impressed with him as her coach. He’s is just very, very good and Jenny likes working with him.”
But, this is not the story of the stereotypical “tennis parent” and the reluctant child. Her father, Bud Moores, owner of Cli-Co Storage in Washington, is amazed at his daughter’s accomplishments. “Jenny has exceptional drive and commitment,” the father explained. “After training with Mark Trail (in Greenville) for several years, she came to me and said, ‘Dad, I want to go to virtual school and work on my tennis full-time.’”
The father was supportive, but cautious. He allowed Jenny to pursue her dream only after she wrote a paper about why it was so important to her. “She also had to promise to keep her grades up,” said the proud father. “And she has! She earns straight A’s and just completed ninth-grade in March!”
The well-rounded Moores will play her next tournament in two weeks and is excited “to just get out and compete again.” With her continued focus and determination; she may never drop a set again.