Once she transferred to Greenwood and partnered up with longtime summer doubles partner Arden Dethridge, Owensboro native Aisha Merchant knew the duo had the opportunity to do something special. And that they did, winning the girls’ doubles tennis State Championship last week – not dropping a single set over their six tournament matches.
“We went into and thought we had a pretty good chance of winning it,” Dethridge said. “We thought if we just stay focused and stuck together as a team that we would have a great opportunity available for us.”
Merchant comes from a storied tennis family, with her uncle winning the Kentucky state doubles championship in 2002 with Owensboro Catholic. Her mom won the Region Championship and reached the State Tournament when she was at Owensboro Catholic, while her dad was a professional player in India. Her brother, Joseph Merchant, and sister, Sophia Merchant, are both still competing for Owensboro Catholic.
Merchant originally followed in her family’s footsteps, attending and competing at Owensboro Catholic. Her seventh-grade season was cut short due to COVID, but she reached the State Tournament the following three straight seasons, winning a 3rd Region Championship during that span.
After taking her junior tennis season off, she transferred to Greenwood for her senior year to take dual credit courses for college and to be able to take classes at the college in person. When arriving and deciding to play for Greenwood’s tennis team for her senior season, it was only natural that she would team up with her summer partner in Dethridge.
“It was really exciting because we have known each other for a long time, so we know each other’s game really well,” Merchant said. “That made it more fun that we were able to be partners.”
The duo has played together on the same summer team for five seasons, dating back to when they were in eighth grade and last summer they competed in a few tournaments together.
“I was honestly excited when I heard she was coming,” Dethridge said. “It added another asset to our team, not only for our doubles standpoint, but also for the entire team. Adding more depth to the players and our lineup. anyone from that standpoint would be excited to know she was joining our team.”
On Tuesday, the Lady Gators will compete in the team state competition and the duo have their eyes set on another State Championship. Both seniors, Merchant and Dethridge are committed to play at Lindenwood and Murray State respectively.
“I am really excited, and it will be nice to be able to play tennis competitively with a team after high school is over,” Merchant said. “So, there is no anxiety about playing in a last match because I get to keep playing.”
