Newberry Observer

Couch signs to Columbia College

WHITMIRE — Lauren Couch, 18, will play tennis at Columbia College when she enters as a freshmen next year. Couch chose Columbia College due to the small size of the college.

“I had heard a lot of good things about the college, a lot of people at this school actually graduated from there. My pre-k teacher graduated from there, so there was a lot of influence to look at it. I really liked the campus, and it’s small enough, and it will be about the same size as here (Whitmire High School). I can get the attention from the teachers and it will feel like you are still in high school, not be as bad as being stuck in a classroom with 60 other kids.”

Couch has played tennis for the last eight years, she started playing for Whitmire Community School when she was in seventh grade.

“My cousins played, and I went to watch them and I just really liked it,” she said.

Couch enjoys controlling where her shots go in tennis, she said she gets to pick and have an advantage over other people.

“My favorite thing is my serve, I have a lot of power and no one expects it, you can load up a lot without using that much muscle,” she said.

Couch’s best tennis memory comes from this year’s Senior Night. The team was playing Abbeville, and Couch said she never beat Abbeville as bad as she did this year, 6-1, 6-0. She said that was a big win for her.

Tennis Head Coach Chaz Adams said it is impressive to see Couch go off to the next level.

“It’s a new experience for me and her, it’s exciting to see someone you’ve watched grow as a 12 year old, into someone who is going to be able to play the game she loves at the next level,” he said.

Couch’s dad, Michael, said he is proud to see her go off to college, and that he plans to attend all the games he is able.

While at Columbia College, Couch plans on majoring in education, she said she wants to give back and see change in people. She also plans to join clubs and organizations to get involved.

Lauren Couch (center) signs to play tennis at Columbia College. She sits with her parents, Michael (left) and Paula (right) Couch.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/web1_DSC_0193.jpgLauren Couch (center) signs to play tennis at Columbia College. She sits with her parents, Michael (left) and Paula (right) Couch. Andrew Wigger | The Newberry Observer

By Andrew Wigger

awigger@newberryobserver.com

Reach Andrew Wigger at 803-276-0625 ext. 1867 or on Twitter @ TheNBOnews.