The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Chief Sports Editor

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

GRAND Bahamian Rachel Thompson, who embodies hard work, dedication and determination, continues to make her presence felt with the Columbia College women's tennis team.

This week, Thompson and Columbia College fell short against Brenau University (Georgia) 5-2 at home on her 17th birthday on Tuesday before they rebounded on Wednesday for a 3-0 whitewashing of Southwest Virginia Community College.

Against Brenau University on Tuesday, Thompson pulled out two big wins as she teamed up with Natalia Diaz to win 6-4 at the number two doubles spot before winning her singles match in a 10-8 third set tiebreaker after splitting the first two sets 6-3, 3-6. 

The performance was a bitter-sweet one for Thompson as she played on her birthday, one day after she returned from The Bahamas where she attended the funeral on Saturday of her cousin, Lucas Wildgoose, who was only eight weeks apart in age.

"I played my heart out on the court in his honor," said Thompson after returning from the funeral in Grand Bahama to continue her collegiate season.

Against Southwest Virginia the next day on Wednesday, Thompson and Diaz again paired up for a 6-1 over Angela Kiesel and Meagan Helton. Thompson didn't get to play singles as the match had already been secured. 

"I feel a sense of accomplishment and pride. Achieving a dual win on my 17th birthday, especially during an emotionally challenging time, feels rewarding," Thompson said. 

"It was an opportunity to channel my emotions and push myself . Then to come back the following day and win doubles 6-1 (no singles match that day for me) I was elated."

While their season will conclude in the second week of April. Thompson said she's thankful for the opportunity to play collegiate tennis, considering the fact that she had her share of disappointment playing on The Bahamas junior girls' national team.

"Being selected for a position on the team was incredibly meaningful to me," Thompson stressed. "My first season as a college tennis player was phenomenal."

The 5-feet, 9-inches Thompon has produced a 7-2 win-loss record in singles and undefeated in six matches in doubles. 

The Koalas fall to 7-5 overall and 2-5 in the conference and will remain home to host Pikeville (Kentucky) at 1 pm on Saturday before they head on the road to face Salem College (North Colina) on Monday.

In April, they will play three more games on the road against Union Commonwealth on Wednesday, April 2, then host Johnson & Wales (North Colin) on Friday, April 4 before the finale at Southwest Virginia Community College on Tuesday, April 8th.

The graduate of Penn Foster High School is also hoping to close out her academic year with a high grade point average as she continues her studies towards a degree in Exercise Science.

"I'm doing very well in all of my classes. I'm also in the honors program so I'm always busy. I have a great "family" here.  I'm truly blessed," said Thompson, the daughter of Bahamians Jamila Carroll-Thompson and Paul Thompson Jr.