MAVS’ NELLIGAN REDISCOVERS HER PASSION ON TENNIS COURTS

Annie Nelligan was swinging a tennis racket long before she learned to correctly pronounce her last name — syllables and three-year-olds can be daunting. Tennis at the Nelligans’ house is what ketchup is to Heinz. But Annie Nelligan drifted toward another passion while growing up, too. For most of her young life, she took dance lessons. The symmetry can be life-evolving. Then one day, it was gone. As a ninth grader, Nelligan — who had taken dance classes since she was 3 — was overcome with a sense of loss after learning she didn’t make the prestigious Southern Belles’ drill team — an astute group of dancers who have a long history of success. “It was really, really tough. This is my one thing I really wanted to be a part of, and I looked up to them,” Nelligan said. “I remember seeing my name wasn’t on the list. I really felt alienated.” Word tends to spread fast in a small town, and before Nelligan could say “no,” Southside tennis coach Braden Eads soon reached out. “The night I didn’t make it, he texted my mom (Billie),” Nelligan said. “After I didn’t make Belles, the next time I touched a tennis racket was a month later.” “I’ve known her for awhile now,” Eads said. “I know she really wanted to be a Southern Belle. That was her aspiration, and I wanted that for her. “But as a coach, in the back of mind, I thought if she doesn’t make it, all doors are not closed.” Three years later, a rejuvenated Nelligan has discovered what Eads suspected all along — that her tennis roots were real. Annie Nelligan is an undefeated 6A-Central tennis player. She and doubles partner Jordan Cormier will lead the Mavericks into Monday’s 6A-Central tournament in Bryant. The pair are undefeated. “I knew she had a chance to make an impact on the tennis courts,” Eads said. “I told her we would love to have you on the tennis team, and it’s proven to be a good decision.” That first win, after reconnecting with tennis, still resonates with Nelligan. “I was really lost (without dance), so winning my first match sort of gave me a sign that this is what is was I was meant to do,” she said. “This gave me the boost that I needed.” “I’m still pretty close to them,” she said. “There are no hard feelings or anything.” Family affair The Nelligans don’t just root for their daughter, or help coach up 9-year-old son Sam (one of Eads’ young proteges). They’re actively involved in tennis. “My whole family plays,” Nelligan said. “I was introduced when I was about 4, but I really started playing when I was about 9. I danced from the time I was 3 until my 9th grade year, too.” “Both her parents (Billie and Jason) play,” Eads said. “I played with Annie’s dad this week! Her grandmother (Janice Taylor) played, and I’m coaching her little brother (Sam) now. It’s definitely a family affair.” Finding herself Click here to see if this could be a treatment option for you Ad by Bristol-Myers Squibb See More A tennis racket in her hand, Nelligan went to work — at school and when no one was looking. “I go play with my dad more than I do my coaches,” she said. “I reconnected with some of the Southside coaches I had worked with before, too. I’ve really only been back in it for about two years.” Representing her school, connecting with new teammates, Nelligan has enjoyed a sense of pride. “Just being able to represent the school, and meeting all the other players, and becoming good friends with them, that’s awesome,” she said. “When you win a match, there’s an extra sense of pride knowing what you did for your school.” Power player Nelligan never thought of herself as a doubles players. Eads saw differently. “I grew up playing singles, but as soon as I started playing for Southside they (coaches) put me in doubles,” Nelligan said. “So I’ve learned a lot about that.” “Annie always gravitated toward doubles,” Eads said. “She’s aggressive at the net; that makes a good doubles player. And she’s a good baseline player, too. “I think that’s played a big key in her success — she doesn’t fear the net.” “I’d say I’m a power player,” Nelligan said. “I’ve been working a lot on footwork and trying new things. I’ve always wanted to hit the ball as hard as I could. I always want to put it away; I’m learning to do that effectively.” Opposites attract Nelligan wears her heart on her sleeve. Her doubles partner does not. But that’s what makes the pair dangerous. “Jordan is more quiet and reserved,” Eads said. “Annie is not. She’s really vocal out there, and you need that. You need doubles players to talk. They’re constantly moving.” Nelligan is excited about the conference meet. “I think a lot of us should make it (to state),” she said. “We’ve all been doing really well as a team. Apart from the team, me and my partner Jordan feel like we have a really good chance at state, too. “We’ve been working outside of school cleaning things up.”

MAVS’ NELLIGAN REDISCOVERS HER PASSION ON TENNIS COURTS

KEVIN TAYLOR

Times Record | 10/6/2019

PHOTO CREDIT: Brian D. Sanderford