Editor’s Note: Thanks to a reader, we learned that Myrtle fielded a tennis program back in the 1980s. What follows is the story of the Hawks restarting that tradition today.
Myrtle is stepping back onto the court.
The school is relaunching its tennis program. The first serve of the new era comes this school year.
Leading the charge is Coach Suzy Bowman. She knows how to win. She coached at New Albany from 2015 to 2023 and won eight 4A state championships.
Now she is ready to build another program from the ground up.
Why Tennis? Why Now?
The idea has been in the works for years.
Bowman had conversations with Windy Faulkner and Justin Hollis. They talked about opportunities. They talked about facilities. They talked about building something for the county schools.
The location made sense. Myrtle sits just a short drive from BNA Tennis Park in New Albany. That facility has been home to championship-level tennis for years. The New Albany School District built a legacy there. Now Myrtle hopes to follow the same path.
Bowman says the timing is right.
“We finally took the leap,” she said. “We have the facility. We have the support. We know what is possible if the kids buy in.”
SIDEBAR: Program Snapshot
- Coach: Suzy Bowman
- Experience: 8-time 4A state champion at New Albany
- Home Court: BNA Tennis Park, New Albany
- Launch Year: 2025
- First Season Goals: Recruit 12 boys and 12 girls, grades 7–12
- Focus: Fundamentals, match play, community involvement
A Lifetime Sport
For Bowman, tennis is different from other sports.
“This is a life-long sport,” she said. “I still play competitively well into my 40s. You can stay active and competitive well into your 80s. Not many sports give you that.”
She believes that long-term value will attract students. It is about more than winning. It is about giving kids a sport they can play forever.
The response has been strong already. Other county schools have reached out to ask if a county-wide program is possible. Bowman likes the idea. She calls it a conversation worth having.
Building From Scratch
Bowman is not new to this kind of challenge. She and her husband, Bo, have launched grassroots tennis programs across Mississippi for two decades.
At New Albany, they started kids from scratch. Some of those players became state champions. Some went on to play college tennis.
She knows what it takes to grow a sport from the ground up.
“You start with buy-in,” she said. “When kids, parents, administrators, and the community believe in it, big things happen. Championship cultures start to form.”
The Plan
The Hawks will use BNA Tennis Park for both practices and matches.
The school is seeking support through grants. Applications have already gone out to the Community Tennis Association, the Mississippi Tennis Association, and the USTA Southern Section.
Bowman wants tennis in front of as many students as possible. That means after-school programs for beginners, intermediates, and advanced players. It also means introducing tennis and pickleball during PE classes.
“Pickleball brings another layer of excitement,” Bowman said. “It is new. It is social. It is something families can do together.”
She believes the first step for beginners is fun. If kids enjoy it, they will stick with it. Fundamentals come next. Then match play.
Competition and Development
The first season will be about development.
Northeast Mississippi has a network of coaches who understand that JV-level players need match experience. Myrtle will join in with match-play days hosted in Oxford and New Albany.
These days are about learning. Coaches walk around, give tips, and help players adjust. It is competitive but still instructional.
Bowman says there is no pressure to fill a roster right away. The goal is 12 boys and 12 girls in grades 7 through 12 by the end of this first year.
SIDEBAR: By the Numbers
8 – 4A state championships won by Bowman at New Albany
20 – Years Bowman and her husband have run grassroots tennis programs in Mississippi
2 – Years Myrtle plans to operate independently before full competition
A Long-Term View
Bowman sees the first two years as independent seasons. That will give her time to build the program the right way. She wants players to have strong fundamentals before chasing titles.
“You do not pick up a racquet and become a state champion overnight,” she said. “You have to build a foundation.”
In three to five years, she hopes Myrtle tennis is competing at a high level. She also hopes to see former players stay involved through adult leagues or by helping coach younger kids.
Experience at the Top
Bowman’s resume is impressive. Eight state titles. Countless players who went from beginners to champions. A record of building programs that last.
At New Albany, she proved what is possible with the right mix of skill development, competition, and culture. She believes the same model can work in Myrtle.
Her philosophy is simple. Build excitement. Teach fundamentals. Play often. Support the kids on and off the court.
Community Impact
This program is not just about athletics. It is about giving students another path. Not every kid fits into football, basketball, or baseball. Tennis offers something different.
It also strengthens the athletic identity of the school. “Justin Hollis and the admin staff cared enough to diversify opportunities,” Bowman said. “That is half the battle. It starts with leadership that cares.”
The hope is that the program will create pride in the school and community. If the players buy in, the parents buy in, and the town buys in, Myrtle can create something special.
What Success Looks Like
Bowman measures success in growth, not just wins.
“If we finish the year with a strong group of players who love the game, that is a win,” she said. “If we build numbers and interest, the rest will follow.”
She has seen it happen before. She knows what it takes. She is ready to do it again.
For Myrtle, this is a historic season. The first time the school has fielded a tennis team. The first chance to build a new sports tradition.
And with Suzy Bowman at the helm, the Hawks are in good hands.
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