Julia McCarthy – Anadarko High School

Julia McCarthy made a statement in her first-ever high school tennis match, winning 8-0. The freshman at Anadarko High School impressed in her debut, showing she is ready to take on new challenges.

McCarthy started playing tennis at 13, following in the footsteps of her older brothers. “All of my older brothers played, so I gave it a chance,” she said.

What started as casual practice sessions quickly turned into a passion.

Now competing in junior varsity singles as the team’s number two, McCarthy has her eyes set on making the varsity squad soon.

“High school tennis is definitely more challenging than middle school,” she said. “But I’m working hard to move up to varsity.”

Her hard work extends beyond the court. McCarthy balances tennis with her academics, making sure her grades stay high so she can continue to compete.

“I focus on my schooling first to keep everything on track,” she said.

Her family plays a big role in her success. One of her older brothers currently plays college tennis at Penn State University, and both he and her parents provide constant support.

“When my brother comes home, he gives me advice and helps me with my game,” McCarthy said.

Her parents have also encouraged her to pursue additional lessons to keep improving.

Within the team, McCarthy looks up to a senior teammate who holds the number one singles spot. “She has a really good serve and knows what she’s doing,” McCarthy said.

With determination and guidance, McCarthy hopes to fill that spot once her teammate graduates.

Looking ahead, McCarthy hopes to continue improving each season. She has aspirations to play at the college level, following the path her brother set.