Lafayette made history with their team’s first state championship in May, but their success is still being recognized months later.

The latest accolades were bestowed to head coach Debbie Swindoll. The Mississippi Tennis Association named Swindoll Mississippi’s 2018 Tennis Professional of the Year this week.

By winning at the state level, Swindoll is eligible to be considered for the Sectional Tennis Professional of the Year by the United States Tennis Association (USTA) Southern Mississippi.

On top of coaching a high school tennis team, Swindoll also lends her knowledge to the citizens of Oxford with classes through Oxford Park Commission.

“It is truly a community award,” Swindoll said. “It probably comes from all the OPC teaching that I do. I am blessed to have the backing of the Oxford Park Commission. I also have lots of great fellow tennis professionals to help me at OPC.”

The Commodores are coming off their most successful season in program history. Reaching the state championship match was a team milestone on its own, but the Commodores defeated Stone County to earn the MHSAA Class 5A state title for their first team title in any classification.

Due to their success, the National Federation of High Schools also named Swindoll the 2018 Women’s Tennis Coach for Mississippi last week.

“It was a shocker,” Swindoll said. “Lafayette tennis did have an outstanding year in 2018 winning the 5A state title. I think we surprised a lot of people. The success is due to the support of my administration plus the hard work by my players.”

The Commodores will try to defende their 5A title when the 2019 season begins in March.