Three locals from the Kelvin Grove State College will compete at the national tennis titles this weekend

Three locals from the Kelvin Grove State College will compete at the national tennis titles in Albany this weekend. Everton Hills’ Ella Pittendreigh, Nicola Schoeman of McDowall and Keperra’s Sydney Stone will be part of a squad enjoying a stellar season.

Three local tennis players will be a part of the Kelvin Grove State College team which will compete at the national titles to be held in Albany this weekend.

Everton Hills’ Ella Pittendreigh, Nicola Schoeman of McDowall and Keperra’s Sydney Stone will be part of a squad which was enjoying a stellar season.

Earlier this year they were part of a school team which saw Kelvin Grove fly Australia’s flag at the world championship in Italy earlier in the year.

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The players gained valuable life and tennis experience at the world championships.

Trent Steele, Tennis Excellence co-ordinator at Kelvin Grove State College, said the team came fifth, but as much as they were competitive on the court, the whole experience developed them.

Steele said all three girls brought different strengths to the program.

Kelvin Grove State High School tennis players Sydney Stone in front of the Ashleigh Barty mural at the Queensland Tennis Centre.

“Nicola is an extremely focused person and competitive,’’ Steele said.

“You know every time she hits the court (training or match play), it is to win. She was part of the team that won the Brisbane International Team Competition at the start of the year.

“Ella is a proactive athlete that makes the most of every opportunity.

Kelvin Grove State High School tennis players Nicola Schoeman, left and Ella Pittendreigh at the unveiling of murals for Sam Stosur and Ashleigh Barty.

“She is the most responsive player in the program and is rapidly improving to years beyond her age.

ASHLEIGH BARTY AND SAM STOSUR MURAL UNVEILED

“She was part of the Kelvin Grove team that won the Brisbane International competition at the start of the year.’’

Stone was one of Australia’s top players in her age group, a national academy member and a member of Tennis Australia’s national team.

Kelvin Grove State High School tennis players Nicola Schoeman, Lara Smith, Jade Liebenberg, Sydney Stone, Javiera Castro, Martine Carroll, Lily Taylor, Ella Pittendreigh.

“She partnered with fellow Kelvin Grove Teammate, Martine Carroll, to win the doubles at this years clay court national title and will be part of the team to contest the Team Nationals in Albury,’’ Steele said.

EMERGING KAYLAH MCPHEE A KELVIN GROVE STATE COLLEGE PAST STUDENT

For Stone, playing tennis was love at first sight.

“At the age of five mum took me to a tennis lesson.

“I then took squad lessons a couple of times a week and continued progressing through the ranks,’’ she recalled.

MARTINE CARROLL READY FOR TEAM NATIONALS

Stone said when she competed in her first tournament aged eight, it lit a competitive fuse within her.

“Since then I’ve loved the competitive side of tennis,’’ she said.

Kelvin Grove State High School tennis players Nicola Schoeman, Sydney Stones, Lara Smith and Ella Ptiiendreigh.

Earlier this year Stone and her squad members meet world No. 1 Ashleigh Barty whose rise to the top of the world had inspired not only Stone, but her peers.

“Ash especially is a great inspiration as she seems like a great person on and off court as well as being the world’s best.’’ Stone said.

A fourth northwest resident, Lara Smith from rural Closeburn, was described by Steele as “a quiet achiever’’.

“Lara barely seems to break a sweat but works hard at every opportunity to improve herself.

“Her controlled nature holds her in good stead on the court.

“She represented Australia at the team world championships in Italy earlier in the year.’’