Menu
Handley McAtee continues unbeaten streak at Kennett tennis' senior night
KENNETT, Mo. - Handley McAtee has done it all for Kennett’s tennis team.
The dual sport athlete from Kennett High School has won two back-to-back state titles in doubles and continues to add upon her win streak from over two years ago.
She was a member of the 2021 and 2022 tennis team which went undefeated in a two year span and won team state titles. Along with her state recognition, McAtee is back-to-back tennis player of the year along with her doubles partner Claire Bean and she is the reigning SEMO Female Athlete of the Year.
After four years as one of Kennett’s top players, McAtee played in her final regular season home match on Wednesday, Oct. 1 with an 8-1 win against Poplar Bluff. Many friends, family and fans came out to support the tennis team's lone senior one last time.
“These years went by so quickly,” McAtee said. “I definitely wasn’t expecting to have such a successful high school career but it has been so worth it.”
For her final home stand of her career, McAtee won 8-0 in doubles against Kaitlyn Booker and Molly Maurer from Poplar Bluff. McAtee and Bean are now 18-0 this season, extending their all time record as doubles partners to 52-0.
McAtee also extends her unchallenged singles win streak from last season to 26-0. She was able to secure a 8-1 victory in singles play over Maurer.
Head coach Janet Hilburn praised McAtee for all of her accomplishments and her leadership she has displayed in her four years.
“I could be all night celebrating Handley,” Hilburn said. “She leads by example. She never yells, hates controversy but she’s a leader and a big inspiration to all the girls and myself. She’s a work horse and I just wish a 10th of that flows over when she is gone.”
McAtee’s doubles and singles victory led the team to their 14th victory of the season. Their record now stands at 14-0-1 as they head into the conference tournament.
Her individual success and the success as a team make up the highlights of McAtee’s high school tennis career, but she said it was her friends which made it fun.
“I’ve made the best memories with everyone here,” McAtee said. “I’ll definitely cherish each and everyone of those. The best part is being around teammates who lift you up and want nothing but the best for you. I think that’s really important to have and I have been so blessed to have really, really good teammates.”
Along with her doubles win alongside McAtee, Bean went on to win 8-0 in her singles match over Booker from Poplar Bluff. Neither Bean or McAtee has dropped a single match so far this season, and Bean has yet to drop a set in singles play.
The duo of Olivia Rebstock and Emory Kamper won 8-2 against the Hannah’s from Poplar Bluff, which included Hannah Kee and Hannah Wiseman.
The final doubles victory came from Jady Quinn and Lydia Teeter who beat Elleana Wiseman and Maryn Massey 8-3.
Poplar Bluff’s Key was able to get a win in her singles match. However, the Mules were outscored by Kennett 5-1 in singles play with wins from Quinn, Kamper and Teeter.
After their victory, the team celebrated McAtee with food, refreshments and pictures.
“I hope next year, the girls realize they can do what Handley does,” Hilburn said. “I can’t say enough good things about her. We are very blessed to have had her for four years, she has had one of the best of the best careers here in tennis. She won two state championships, she won two state championships as an individual and I’ve never had that. So I thank you, Handley, for making me look good and making our team look good. Tonight, we celebrate Handley, but we will keep celebrating her.”