Ability to Rise to the Challenge is Paying Off for Emma Shelton

Emma Shelton had scholarship offers to play tennis at several Power Five conference schools around the country, but she chose to play at South Carolina as a walk-on. As a five-star recruit who was part of the nation’s top ranked recruiting class, not only is Shelton off to a good start in her collegiate career, but she has also been put on scholarship.

“I really love my team. They’re so fun,” said Shelton, who is a business major. “There are so many freshmen, and we get along really well. We’re all going through the same things together every day, so it’s been great getting closer with them.

“When I visited here, I really connected with the coaches the most. My dad was my coach my whole life. He and Coach (Kevin) Epley were friends, and when I came here, I realized how similar they were. Their style of coaching is what I really like.”

Shelton’s father, Bryan, is the men’s tennis coach at the University of Florida, but he didn’t push her to stay at home.

“My dad didn’t pressure me one way or the other,” Shelton said. “He said that it was up to me to choose and whatever I decided, he would support me. He loves Coach Epley, so he’s happy that I’m here and that it’s the right fit for me.”

“It’s a thrill to compete against other people, especially now that I’m on a team and playing for something that’s bigger than myself.”

Shelton got her collegiate career off to a good start by winning the doubles and Silver Singles division title at the South Carolina’s Fall Invitational.

“Coming in, I knew that South Carolina tennis has high standards, and that they play at a high level,” Shelton said. “I was pretty nervous at first that I wouldn’t be able to keep up, but after that first tournament I got a good foundation. It helped me to build confidence. I realized I could do more and keep getting better, and if I can get better then I’ll do better for the team in the spring. It gave me more confidence, but it motivated me to keep working.

“The best part of my game is probably striking with my forehand. I like getting my opponent on defense quickly. Where I can get better is serve and return and using it as a weapon.”

While she found some early success, the transition from high school to college isn’t easy.

“On the court, the biggest change was just having a coach who wasn’t my dad,” Shelton said. “I’ve only had one coach my whole life. We have a very close relationship. So just having someone different telling me what to do and developing a new coaching relationship was different for me, but it has worked out well.

“Off court, being away from my family is hard. I have a (younger) brother, and we trained together. So, we were together all the time. Now, I’m on my own, but I like it.”

Shelton found more good fortune when a teammate opted to leave school this semester, and Epley offered her a scholarship.

“I was pretty excited,” Shelton beamed. “We were at dinner, and I had been having a really bad day, but he pulled me aside and told me. I was super-excited. I was thinking he might bring someone new on to the team.”

Shelton began playing tennis at the age of five and played her first tournament at nine years old. 

“I just love competing and figuring out how to solve problems on the court,” Shelton said. “It’s a thrill to compete against other people, especially now that I’m on a team and playing for something that’s bigger than myself. I love being able to put it all out there on the line, just like every other girl who is fighting for the exact same thing that we want together. I love the team concept of it now.”

While she and her freshmen teammates were listed as the top recruiting class coming into the year, Shelton has taken it in stride as she knows her biggest goals are ahead of her. 

“I could have felt some pressure knowing that we were the No. 1 recruiting class, but at the same time, my dad always taught me to have a growth mindset and that the numbers don’t always matter that much,” Shelton said.  “It’s about what you’re doing on the court to get better. Rankings can change really fast.

“I know that South Carolina dominated the SEC last year, and I just want to keep that up,” Shelton said. “I want for us to go for another SEC team title and an NCAA title.”