“I am pretty excited,” Usrey said. “The girls are hilarious, so it is going to be pretty fun. I am glad that I got signed somewhere.”
Usrey said being less than 30 miles away from home plays a huge role in decision to play for CACC in Alexander City.
“It is just close to home,” Usrey said. “I have played there three times in high school and I really like the court. “
Cindy Cleveland has been at the helm Sylacauga’s tennis program for the past five years. She said she has seen Usrey grow into a young lady as well as into a good tennis player.
“We are just thrilled,” Cleveland said. “This is the second year in a row that we have had a scholarship signing for our program, which is big. Both of them are great kids. She has been with me for five years. She started playing for me in the eighth grade. That was my first year coaching so I have really had a chance to watch her grow as a player and into a young woman. She will definitely be missed. I am proud of her, this is a great accomplishment. She is my only senior girl so she will be missed next year. We have some that are going to follow in her foot steps; she set the bar high for us.”
The Lady Aggies lone senior didn’t believe playing on the next level was an option until she saw some her former teammates sign last season.
“Not until like two years ago,” Usrey said. “I just saw other people signing. We had some one to sign last year, so I kind of wanted to do it.”
Usrey and the Lady Aggies will participate in the state tournament in Montgomery on Thursday and Friday. This is Usrey’s third time going to the state tournament. She feels like playing doubles is their strength this season.
“I think we are going to be pretty good,” Usrey said. “My double partner and I are really good together against hard teams so we should win at doubles.”
CACC Head coach Kathleen Thompson is elated having Usrey for the next two years.
“I am excited,” Thompson said. “It is great when you can get some one so close to home that’s a good tennis player. The fact that she wants to stay close to home and come to CACC is exciting for us. She is a good player and I have seen her play several matches. She is a very nice girl and I think it will be a great fit.”
Contact LaVonte Young ar lyoung@dailyhome.com or Follow him on Twitter @ LYoung_DHSports.
