Shackelfords give triple help to SAS

Two seasons ago, Avery Shackelford and her St. Andrew's-Sewanee tennis team won the Division II-A state championship with a big boost from her sister Sadie, then an eighth-grader.

Avery, now a senior, hopes the Lady Mountain Lions win another state title this week with help again from an eighth-grader -- her other sister, Michaela.

The three Shackelford sisters and their SAS teammates face St. George's in a state semifinal this morning at 10 EDT.

"It's been a really good experience," Avery said of having all three sisters playing together. "I'm glad this happened my senior year. It's been fun, and I think that our charisma has helped make the team what it is.

"I feel like we pushed the program forward a couple years ago when we won, and we're here again with another shot."

The sisters also started together in basketball for SAS, but tennis is the sport for which they are best identified. Their parents, John and Conchie, head the tennis programs at the University of the South.

Said SAS tennis coach Kelley Black: "The three girls have been tremendous assets to the team. They've been leaders throughout the season and helped each other come along."

Sadie, the two-time defending Division II-A state singles champion, played in middle school with Michaela before spending the last three seasons on Avery's team.

"Being the middle sister, I've had the opportunity to play with both sisters," she said. "It's been a lot of fun."

The three siblings admit that if there has been anything difficult about playing together, it's been having to watch Michaela and try to curb her occasional temper.

"I've had referees and my parents talk to me about it," Michaela said with a laugh, admitting she's thrown a few rackets and had a few warnings. "I usually calm down after the warning."

Said Avery: "We're usually telling her that she has to represent the school the right way."

The three have different personalities off the court. While Michaela is considered the loudest, Sadie is considered the neatest. Avery is looked at a parent type -- very calm and collected.

"She kind of takes care of the team," Michaela said.

The three admitted that the thought of a state title is hard to fathom.

Added Sadie: "We've moved into a larger region this year, and it's been difficult. We finished second, and it kind of shocked us. We didn't think we could do it two years ago and we did, but this year we've worked hard for where we are today and it would be huge to win it all."

"The competition has been that much greater," Black said, "so winning state would be a testament to the strength of the team as a whole."

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