Words by Jenny Lynn Davis | Images by Justin Hunter
When Sam Higgins first picked up a tennis racket, he wasn’t following in anyone’s footsteps. No childhood tournaments, no family legacy in the sport—just a curiosity that led him to the court during his sophomore year at Austin High School in Decatur, Alabama. Now in his second year at Bevill State Community College, the tennis court has become the place where he belongs.
Sam arrived at Bevill without much fanfare, but he quickly found himself surrounded by teammates who felt more like brothers. Under Coach Eli Matthews, he’s honed his skills and embraced the grind of collegiate competition.
“The guys on the team are great, and our coach really takes the time to invest in us,” Sam says. “You don’t always find that in sports, but it makes a huge difference.”
He’s had his share of on-court highlights, like an intense tiebreaker match in the fall where he nailed a perfect overhead smash with everyone watching, but his best memories come from the road trips, team golf outings, and late-night disc golf matches that have nothing to do with winning and everything to do with friendship.
“I think that’s one of the best parts, just the community of it,” he said. “We all want to win, of course, but at the end of the day, it’s more than that.”
Competition and camaraderie are only part of the story. Between classes, practices, and matches, Sam has found another home at Jasper’s First Baptist Church, where Senior Pastor Andy Frazier and Minister to Students & Families Justin Wood have helped create a space where he feels welcomed and supported.
“I’ve been given the opportunity from God to play tennis, and I’m very grateful to Him,” Sam says. “Having a church community here has been a huge blessing.”
As he looks ahead, Sam plans to continue his education and tennis career at a four-year school. For now, he’s focused on the season ahead, soaking up the final months with his teammates and setting his sights on the team’s biggest goal: a trip to nationals.
With his next steps still ahead, one thing is certain: wherever Sam ends up, tennis, friendships, and faith will be part of the plan. WL
