Springs leaves Myrtle Beach tennis having seen it all, and done it, too

Just as those who came before her, Emma Springs took her role as captain and caretaker of the Myrtle Beach girls tennis dynasty rather seriously.

Many came before the Seahawks’ senior standout, walking in the same steps as countless others who had helped the program earn 15 state championships in its history. Yet with her own named scribed beside them, Springs felt it necessary to set an example for those following in her footprints.

“I’ve been on this team for six years. I’ve pretty much seen it all,” she said. “I remember coming up, and having that time with some of the older girls on the team. I looked up to them and all they had accomplished. Their success made me want the same.”

Helping lead Myrtle Beach to a state championship in 2015, Springs racked up an overall record of 24-1 — including an 18-1 singles record. And though she wasn’t able to lead the Seahawks to a title for a second year in a row, it’s fair to say her legacy within the program is firmly entrenched.

In addition to earning being selected to the state tournament, Region VII-4A Player of the Year and being selected as a North-South all-star, tack on yet another honor to her resume. For her work on the tennis court, Springs is this year’s Toast of the Coast girls tennis Player of the Year.

“It’s great,” she said. “When you start at the bottom when first moving up to varsity, and making your way up to the No. 1 spot, it really makes you appreciate the journey.”

While a team sport, Springs learned early on that each individual battle matters.

“Yes, there were times I was nervous, because knowing this is a team sport you’re pulling for everyone else,” she said. “But then you also have to pull your own weight. So trying to balance it all was a challenge.”

The addition of becoming Myrtle Beach’s No. 1 player didn’t necessarily lighten the load. Yet, few would be able to detect such nervous energy, Springs’ only loss during the season coming against Bishop England.

“Knowing it was my last year, I really wanted to put my best foot forward,” she said. “Playing No. 1, I felt a lot of pressure. But I knew what I had to do.”

Seemingly the only thing Springs couldn’t do was lead the Seahawks to a state title in her senior season. Despite that, she knows the program is in good hands.

“It ended way earlier than we expected. I certainly wish we could have gone further,” she said. “But most of these girls have made it to states. This is a pretty young team, with there being only two seniors leaving. They’ll have a good shot.”

As for Springs, she is hanging up her racket, not planning to take up tennis at the college level. However, playing the sport at the intramural level — whether she chooses to attend Clemson University or the University of South Carolina — certainly remains a possibility.

“I want to be able to enjoy my college experience,” she said. “But we’ll see; there may be some tennis in my future.”

This story was originally published January 31, 2017 at 11:53 PM with the headline "Springs leaves Myrtle Beach tennis having seen it all, and done it, too."