Collinsville’s Mackenzie Weygand

Collinsville’s Mackenzie Weygand has blossomed on the tennis court in a short time.

The senior, who also excels on the volleyball court, is a two-year state qualifier at No. 2 doubles. She got her start in tennis as a sophomore.

“She’s a two-year state qualifier at No. 2 doubles,” Collinsville coach Art Smalygo said. “She started the 21-22 season in No. 1 singles with success. Late in the season, she decided to team up for doubles.”

As a standout in volleyball, Weygand recorded 1,600-plus assists and was an All-Conference First Team selection in both her junior and senior seasons. She was also named Tulsa All-World honorable mention as a sophomore, junior and senior.

But there is another honor that stands out the most.

“One of my most precious awards is I was voted MVP my junior year by my peers,” she said.

Weygand is always working on improving the fundamentals of tennis.

“I think that fundamentals are key to consistency, then building on the harder techniques to them,” Weygand said. “My strength in tennis is my serve. Over the course of the past two seasons though I have improved on hitting and being able to read the other opponent, although I am still working on these skills.”

Collinsville is young with freshmen and sophomores in 2023, but Weygand feels a strong team chemistry will help them along.

“We are a young team. We have freshmen and sophomores,” she said. However, our bond together is strong and gets stronger each week. I love that we encourage each other. If one of us isn’t competing in a match, you can find us cheering for another team member at their match. I want to lead by example and leave with my teammates knowing that I cared for them. I want to do anything I can as a leader to help my team improve. My goal is that when they think of me, they think…‘when I am a senior I want to lead like she did.’”

Serena Williams is Weygand’s favorite professional tennis player.

“I love that Serena Williams plays with character, morals, and determination,” Weygand said. “My favorite quote of hers is, ‘I don’t like to lose at anything…yet I’ve grown most not from victories, but setbacks. If winning is God’s reward, then losing is how he teaches us.’”

Weygand wants a return trip to state this year and maintain her success in the classroom.

“My goals are to make state in tennis and maintain straight As,” she said. “My academics have always come first, then sports. In the spring, I am in two sports. I play tennis and club volleyball. I make sure that I am on top of all of my assignments.”

Weyand, who plans on attending the University of Central Oklahoma and pursuing a degree in Elementary Education, has a pre-match ritual.

“Before every tournament or dual we meet and eat breakfast together before catching the bus,” she said.

What’s your most memorable sports moment during your high school career?

My first tournament. I had never played tennis before my Sophomore year (hadn’t even picked up a racket before) and so when the first tournament came, I remember just thinking man I hope we just win one set… then we won a set… then thinking I hope we just Win a match… then we won the match… Then before we knew it, we won all our matches that day…

Another memorable moment is-

My first year of playing tennis. My doubles partner and I had a 3 hour match that qualified us for State. I will never forget that feeling. I never thought we would make state.

What do you love most about being a student-athlete at your school and why?

My favorite part is representing being a Collinsville Cardinal at the tennis matches. Showing the drive, determination, perseverance and fight we have as Cardinals in sports as well as academics. I absolutely love being a Cardinal.

What do you enjoy doing in your free time? What are some of your hobbies?

In my free time I love to hang out with my friends, travel, work out,  I play volleyball year round, and shop.

Any achievements (sports, academics, or life) over your career you want to mention? Do you know any of your stats from last season or career stats that stand out?

What qualities do you think make someone a good teammate or leader?

Being a good leader is being there. Being encouraging for your teammates through the ups and downs, the good matches and bad matches. Letting the coaches coach and just being the supportive, encouraging teammate….. And celebrating every win and encouraging through the losses.

Is there a particular game or tournament that you’re excited for this season?

I am excited for all our matches and tournaments this year, even the really tough ones, because they challenge us and make us better. Ultimately, I am hoping to make it to State for the third year.