Jayda Stowell had no clue how to keep score or any sort of prior history with tennis entering her junior year at Lansing Catholic.
But Layla Corbit wanted that to change. So for several weeks ahead of tryouts in the spring of 2025, Corbit begged a hesitant Stowell to give tennis a shot.
Stowell figured she wouldn’t make the team, but eventually she relented and gave it a try.
“I kind of just did it (and was like) we’ll see what happens,” Stowell said.
As it turned out, a lot of great things have happened over the past two seasons for Stowell, who not only made the team but quickly flourished. She capped her career by teaming with Vivian Shulick to reach the semifinals at No. 3 doubles at the Division 4 state finals this spring. Stowell and Shulick finished 23-3 and had a combined record of 43-4 the past two seasons, including winning a pair of regional championships.
“I never thought I could make it that far or have that much success,” said Stowell, who was voted the latest LSJ girls high school athlete of the week. “I never saw myself being one match away from (being) a state champion in a one-year time from when I signed up.”
Lansing Catholic coach Mark West didn’t know about Stowell when she arrived at tryouts last spring. But she quickly impressed with her competitiveness and athleticism.
“It was one of those surprises where a junior comes out,” West said. “Then I started watching her and it was like, ‘Oh, I’m going to put her in the lineup.’ “
Stowell impressed with more than just her performance on the court. She emerged as a team captain this season for the Cougars.
Stowell credits her work ethic and desire for helping her succeed despite not having any tennis background just a little more than a year ago.
“For me attitude and effort — those are the only two things you can control and she just is the epitome of those,” West said. “She’s not going to get frustrated. It’s how can I make this better?
“It’s her downright competitiveness and just willing to learn and listen to constructive criticism. She just epitomizes all those.”
Contact Brian Calloway at bcalloway@lsj.com. Follow him on X @brian_calloway and Bluesky @briancalloway.
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Jayda Stowell made mark for Lansing Catholic after giving tennis a shot
Reporting by Brian Calloway, Lansing State Journal / Lansing State Journal
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By Brian Calloway, Lansing State Journal | USA TODAY Network
