From 2-14 as freshman to 15-2-1 

as a sophomore

By KEN HAMWEY

Staff Sports Writer

Katie Miller’s outstanding sophomore season at first singles for Medway High’s girls’ tennis team might be one of the best high school sports stories of 2023-24.

Miller labored through her freshman season courageously in spite of disappointment and a fair amount of stress. She faced every team’s best player and she saw her share of juniors and seniors who were far more experienced. Her frosh season ended with a 2-14 record but Tri Valley League coaches rewarded Miller for her ability and competitive desire. She was chosen as a league all-star.

Her coach, Dan McMahan, provided Miller with some soothing advice during her rookie year. “I told Katie that she’d have a long season and it would be stressful, but I also emphasized that she’d have three years of success. I also let her know that she’d be disappointed but would learn from her losses.’’

Did she ever!

The 16-year-old Miller bounced back in spectacular fashion, posting a 15-2-1 record at first singles and helping the Mustangs qualify for tournament play.

“The key to my turnaround was improving my skill level and developing mental toughness,’’ she noted. “As a freshman, I was new to the mental aspect of the game and a bit unsure of how to handle stress. As I reflected on that two-win season, I realized that I was getting mentally stronger and that helped me to deal with the stress that comes with losing.’’

The 5-foot-7 Miller also learned how to observe opponents and how to slow down the game. “I kept a mental book on my opposition,’’ she said. “I learned their strengths and weaknesses. In longer matches, I learned not to rush. I’d even pause to take a breather when I served.’’

Medway, which also finished 2-14 in Miller’s freshman season, managed an 8-10 record in the spring and lost to Old Rochester in the first round of the state playoffs.

Labeling Miller’s bounce-back season as “dynamic’’ or “magnificent’’ doesn’t seem strong enough.

A Medway native, Miller, who’s now a two-time TVL all-star, doesn’t rate that honor as her top thrill. “It’s the way I turned my season around,’’ she said emphatically. “I turned a negative experience into a positive one by winning matches this year against opponents I lost to as a freshman.’’

Miller’s opening match as a sophomore was against Sutton and her opponent had defeated her when she was a freshman. This time, Miller rolled to a victory, calling the match “my best.’’

“That win helped my confidence,’’ she said. “It wasn’t easy but it got my season off to a good start and showed that my technique was effective.’’

McMahan is quick to list Miller’s strengths.

“Katie can hit hard and go to the net quickly,’’ he said. “Relying on a high tennis IQ, she picks her spots and hits to win. She’s got speed, her serve is tremendous, and her forehand shot is her best. She plays tennis year-round and knows how to adjust to her opposition.’’

The goals Miller set at the start of her sophomore season are directly linked to the vast improvement Medway made in the spring, and definitely responsible for her superb season. 

“My team goals were for us to improve our record, win close matches and qualify for the tourney,’’ she said. “My personal goals were to improve my record and to better understand how to handle a match’s outcome, by knowing how to deal with the ups and downs that occur during a match.’’ 

Miller’s style definitely involves her baseline play. “I’m mostly a baseline player who’s learned when to get aggressive,’’ she offered. “I also rely on my forehand shot, and lots of practice has made that shot work. Another situation I enjoy is getting to a short ball at the net and scoring a point.’’

Miller has great admiration for her teammates, especially Anna Freeman at second singles and Leah Lieberman at first doubles. Freeman will be a junior next year and Lieberman will be a senior.

“Anna is very consistent,’’ Miller said. “She’s talented, her technique is good and she always gives 100 percent. Leah is enthusiastic, always gives her best effort and is willing to learn new techniques.’’

Miller is also effusive in her praise for McMahan, who now has retired from teaching (Medway Middle School) and coaching. “Coach McMahan has always been positive, never dwelling on negative things,’’ she said. “A good motivator, he’s very effective with strategy. He’s always stressed that the most important point is the next one.’’

Miller’s father (Mike) is the assistant coach and she’s glad he’s connected with the squad. “My dad played tennis in high school (Dover-Sherborn), he’s very focused and he knows all about technique,’’ she said. “His approach is team-first and he’s all about seeing players improve.’’

Miller, who started playing tennis when she was eight, will continue to enhance her out-of-season play by attending a Nike camp in the summer and sharpening her skills at the Kingsbury Club in Medfield. “I also plan on playing singles and doubles at USTA under-16 tournaments.”

Relying on a competitive philosophy that focuses on winning, reaching her potential and enjoying her athletic journey, Miller says she’s learned some valuable life lessons through sports. “I’ve learned how to overcome adversity and to be resilient, how to be a good team player, how to lead and how to manage time,’’ she said.

An honor-roll student, Miller hopes to play tennis in college, likely at a Division 3 school, and “focus on the medical field in a sports setting.’’

Calling her parents (Mike and Christine) role models for their support and encouragement, Miller also has great respect for John Bogdanovic, a coach at the Kingsbury Club. “His manner is inspiring and his outlook is always positive,’’ she said.

Miller’s sophomore season also was inspiring and positive. She displayed relentless perseverance as a freshman then had a marvelous season last spring. But it didn’t get much notice.

Medway’s tennis fortunes for the next two years, however, should be bright and Katie Miller likely will play a major role in elevating the Mustangs’ program.