Jacob Smolder Earns Gamer of the Week Honors

Teays Physical Therapy Center, Inc. and The Putnam Herald are pleased to present this week’s male Gamer of the Week to Jacob Smolder of Hurricane Tennis!  

Jacob Smolder has been leading the way for the Hurricane Tennis Team. The Junior is 9-1 playing first singles and 10-0 playing first doubles this season. “The season has been going very well. We have won every team match so far,” said Smolder. “We have been working as a team and have had a lot of practice working on our doubles game, and just making sure we get every point possible,” he continued.  

When discussing his individual success this season, Smolder said “I have been practicing more this year. I practice every single day, and my coaches have been helping me. I have been serving well and just playing the singles game.” He continued saying “I have just been focused on making more shots in general and being consistent. Just trying to make the other person hit more balls.” 

Smolder has earned all-state honors his freshman and sophomore years, making it to the semi-finals of the state tournament each time. “Jacob is a leader on and off the court. His easy-going personality sets him aside from other players. He remains calm throughout his matches and continues to put in hours of work year-round,” said Hurricane Tennis Coach Kendra White.  

Looking ahead to the rest of the season, Smolder says that he is hopeful to make another run at the state tournament and improve on his semi-final performances last year.  

Smolder was introduced to Tennis by his dad and decided to follow in the family footsteps playing the sport. Smolder’s older sister is currently playing for Radford University and his dad played at the collegiate level as well. He says that he used to practice against his sister a lot growing up, and the competitiveness drove him to play better, so she has been a good role model.  

In addition to tennis, Smolder is a member of the National Honor Society at Hurricane.  

Hurricane Tennis will be back in action today when they travel to take on Ripley at 4:30pm.

Please look for other local high school athletes to be named in next week’s male Gamer of the Week Sponsored by Teays Physical Therapy Center, Inc., and The Putnam Herald.

AJ WHITE, MS, MBA, CSCS, IS AN INSTRUCTOR AT POTENTIAL PLUS.