Even fans of rival Southeastern Conference schools are drawn to the lore of Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge.
That allure is what brought sophomore transfer Mary Jeremiah, a lifelong Tennessee fan, to Baton Rouge after a one-year stint at Oklahoma State.
“The lights in Death Valley?” Jeremiah said. “I mean come on, it just doesn’t get much better than that.”
Jeremiah’s tennis career started in her home state of Georgia, where she was named a High School All-American and won a 5A regional championship.
Coming out of high school, she was labeled a “blue chip” recruit by the ITA tennis rankings for high school seniors.
After a drawn out recruiting process during which Jeremiah was recruited by Oklahoma State, Baylor, Florida State and Alabama, she eventually chose to don the orange and black of the Cowboys.
“It took a while to decide, but I was happy with my decision,” Jeremiah said.
That didn’t last long, though.
“I think she grew unhappy where she was,” said LSU coach Julia Sell. “She struggled a little getting the results she wanted and a lot of that was just because she wasn’t happy.”
Jeremiah waited to make her decision on where to transfer until late, only coming on her official visit to LSU in August, a month before the fall season started.
Jeremiah’s hesitation helped out the newly appointed Sell, who remembered her from her days as a junior player and knew she would be a good fit at LSU.
“She knows how to win, she’s a solid player and she’ll fight throughout the match,” Sell said. “She understands the game, and most importantly she knows how to win matches even if she isn’t at her best.”
Jeremiah cited the Tiger coaching staff as one of the most impressive things about LSU on her visit.
“We have the best coaching staff in the nation,” Jeremiah said. “Even our volunteer coach is one of the best in the nation. Not many schools can say that about their staffs.”
Since the spring season started, Jeremiah has steadily improved her performances.
Originally slated in the No. 2 spot in singles, and No. 2 in doubles with her partner junior Ariel Morton, Jeremiah now occupies the No. 1 spot in both competitions.
“One of [Jeremiah’s] best qualities is her ability to play anywhere in a lineup and win a point of the team,” Sell said. “She has tons of potential to get even better as well.”
Her qualities don’t end within the lines of the court, though.
Sell said Jeremiah is an avid Twitter and Facebook user, and her posts often are filled with humor.
Sell said her humor often helps lighten the team’s mood.
Jeremiah’s humor is something that Lady Tigers may need after struggling in recent weeks after getting of to a hot start.
“She brings a good atmosphere on road trips and in the locker room,” Sell said. “She has the type of attitude that really can lift a team up.”
The same light attitude has helped Jeremiah integrate herself into a veteran laden team. Morton and seniors Ebie Wilson, Kaitlin Burns and Keri Frankenberger make up the majority of a team that only includes seven total players.
“One of the best things about this team is that we have great chemistry between the players and the coaching staff,” Burns said. “Mary coming in this year has just added to that.”
