Carol Foote carries on family tennis legacy at Highland

Playing tennis isn’t all about winning for the Foote family - it’s also a way to spend time together and have a little fun. Highland junior Carol Foote is the youngest member of the family and was part of Highland’s varsity tennis team for the second time this year. She follows in her older brother Chas’ footsteps. Chas Foote helped the boys team, win the 2010 state title.

Carol started playing soccer as a child but said she decided to switch to tennis full time and hasn’t looked back since.

“When you’re on the court, everything else just disappears,” she said. “I love tennis because it’s something that I can do with my family.”

Mark Foote is Carol’s father and coach for the boys team for the last three years. He’s assisted coach Sharon Snyder with the girls team, as well. He grew up playing tennis and said he thought it would be a good way to keep his family together and give his children the chance to complete.

Not only is Carol one of the most consistent players on the varsity team and a strong second singles player, she is also an excellent student, involved with student government and is serving as the vice-president of Highland’s pep club this year.

“It’s absolutely wonderful to have such a talented daughter and it’s been fun for us to watch her play over the years,” Mark Foote said. “Watching her compete at state this year was especially great because I think she played some of the best tennis of her life.”

Highland qualified players in all three singles classifications and both doubles teams this year. Carol, along with first singles player Victoria Lara and third singles player Sarah Koelliker, had a strong first day but lost in the semi-finals on Oct. 8. Both of Highland’s doubles teams were eliminated in the second round.

The first day of competition was challenging, Carol said. She beat Kristen Rowley from Orem in the first round and McKenna Nelson from Mountain Crest in the second. In the semi-finals, Carol took on Erin Blessing from Skyline and fell to her, 6-0, 6-3. Blessing went on to win the second singles title.

The tennis season is over for the year, but Carol said she’s going to continue working hard for next season and looking forward to playing golf in the spring. Although continuing her tennis career after high school is unlikely at this point, Carol said she’ll never stop playing tennis.

“I’ll always play at the tennis club and wherever because I love playing,” she said.