Former Cass player Tara Mathis has signed a letter of intent to play tennis at Reinhardt University in Waleska. Pictured with Mathis are, seated from left, Loretta Jewell, mother; Audrina Jewell, sister; Michael Jewell, father; standing, Jennifer Sackman, Reinhardt head women’s coach; and Chris Allen, Cass head coach. Not pictured is Terry Billings, Mathis’ private coach/instructor. SPECIAL/Reinhardt University
Tara Mathis of Cartersville has signed a letter of intent to attend Reinhardt this fall and play tennis for the Lady Eagles in the spring of 2012 under head coach Jennifer Sackman.
The 5-foot-6 Mathis played for Lady Colonels head coach Chris Allen during her high school career. Allen lauded his former player’s abilities on the court.
“She’s probably one of the most athletic tennis players I’ve seen in a long, long time,” Allen said of Mathis. “She has a great forehand, an amazing serve and she wants to play at the next level.”
Mathis, the daughter of Loretta and Michael Jewell, was a four-year varsity starter at Cass, playing the top singles position this past season after competing at No. 2 singles as a sophomore and junior, and No. 3 singles as a freshman. She helped lead the Lady Colonels to state playoff appearances in 2008 and 2010, posting an undefeated record during those competitive postseason matches. In her junior campaign, Cass was ranked as high as sixth in the state, making it to the second round of the Class AAAA playoffs and finishing 16-6 overall.
Mathis was also a member of the Cass competition cheerleading squad for three years.
“I chose Reinhardt because I felt like it was a great community for me,” Mathis said. “I just think that overall it’s a great school that’s not too far from home. I loved the campus tour that I took and knew I wanted to go here after that.”
Mathis chose Reinhardt after also considering NCAA Division II Valdosta State University.