Mary Weatherholt almost gave up on tennis during her career at Shawnee Mission South.

“My coach Kevin Kowalik at Homestead Country Club helped me get back into tennis after I quit for awhile during high school and prepared my game for college,” Weatherholt said.

Good thing she didn’t leave the sport. She was the Class 6A state singles champion in 2006 for the Raiders. She was ranked as high as No. 28 in the United States Tennis Association’s Girls 18 division.

Weatherholt made an early decision to play tennis at Nebraska.

“I took an unofficial visit early in the recruiting process, mid-September of my junior year,” she said. “I never had ties to Nebraska growing up but fell in love with the place on my visit.

“It was a great school with amazing facilities and support, but more importantly, I connected with the coaches and team right away. I have never regretted that decision.”

The redshirt senior has enjoyed considerable success for the Cornhuskers.

What does she think is the high point of her collegiate tennis career?

“Helping my team make the first trip to the second round of the NCAA tournament my sophomore year by upsetting Illinois in the first round,” she said.

On an individual level, she was the Big 12 Freshman of the Year in 2009; Big 12 Doubles Champion in 2010 and on the All-Big 12 singles team in 2009 and 2010.

Weatherholt also has the Nebraska season record for singles victories, and she is No. 2 all-time at Nebraska for season combined victories (50, 2009).

What is her strength as a tennis player?

“I think my coach would say my fearlessness on the court,” she said.

And the business administration major has had success in the classroom.

She had a 4.0 GPA in the spring of 2011 and was named an ITA Scholar-Athlete for the 2010-11 academic year. She was the Nebraska Student-Athlete HERO Leadership Award winner in 2011.

The 21-year-old has been pleased with her time at Nebraska.

“My coaches have done more for me than I can even describe,” she said. “They are truly amazing coaches and people who care about each person on the team more than I’ve seen from any other coaches.

“All of my teammates during my time at Nebraska have been absolutely wonderful to compete alongside, and I’ll always have some of the best memories with them. The doctors and trainers have helped me get through three knee surgeries and numerous other injuries during the last four and a half years to make it possible for me to compete.”

Her plans after college are simple.

“I’ll see what the Lord has planned for me,” she said. “I want to get a job in Lincoln or Kansas City for the time being, but then hope to one day be a stay-at-home wife and mom to raise my kids and have the time to volunteer and help people when they need it.”