“Attending McCallie the past three years is the best thing my parents have ever done for me. My boarding friends are the best friends in world and the strong academics have helped prepare me for college."
-- McCallie senior co-captain Cody Gubin
During fall practice, McCallie senior co-captains Turner Voges and Cody Gubin looked forward to one more tennis season together with college tennis in the future.
But injuries derailed some hopes and dreams halting a senior year of doubles together as Voges is out for the season with a stress fracture in his lower back, while No.1 Gubin is playing back to 100% as tendinitis in his right knee has slowed him down somewhat.
While Voges will be the sixth family member to play college tennis, missing his senior year of high school has been tough.
“I had looked forward to playing my senior year my entire life and it has been real difficult not to be able to play, but I am still with the team and encouraging them in their matches,” said Voges whose college career follows his dad, Eric (Tennessee), brother, Sawyer (Birmingham Southern), aunt Rhonda Voges Brown (Auburn), great aunt Marilyn Voges Brown (played on the U of Chattanooga men’s team, and her late husband, Glen Brown (U.
of Chattanooga).
“But these are the cards I have been dealt and there is a reason for me not to play this year.”
Voges wears a back brace until end of June and should be 100% at that time.
“While I cannot play this spring, I am real excited about playing for Memphis next year,” Voges stated. “I will be a preferred walk-on with the team and might redshirt my freshman year, but will practice and travel with the team.”
Gubin is headed to a national top 15 NCAA D-II program in Rollins (Tampa, Fla.) with a long tennis history
“Rollins is a good school with a strong tennis program and the good weather is a plus,” said Gubin whose dad, Steve, played freshman tennis at U. of North Carolina.
But helping the team qualify for the Spring Fling Final Four is the present goal as McCallie has two important region matches coming up at Ensworth Thursday and at Baylor May 6.
“Attending McCallie the past three years is the best thing my parents have ever done for me,” Gubin stated. “My boarding friends are the best friends in world and the strong academics have helped prepare me for college.
“I love McCallie.”
contact B.B. Branton at william.branton@comcast.net