Tennis Star Mosteller Signs with DS

Chatsworth, GA – North Murray High School is losing the only tennis most valuable player in the school's four-year history.  The Mountaineer's loss is Dalton State's gain.

A crowd of family, friends, teammates, and coaches gathered Friday afternoon for a signing party in the NMHS media center. 

Dalton State coaches Michel Bates and Zach Rogers say they are happy to have such an outstanding scholar athlete on their roster. 

"The fact that North Murray has just named their MVP award after him speaks volumes as far as his character," said Bates. "I'm very excited for him. I think this is a great opportunity," she added.

"Drew is a great kid," Rogers said. "We're happy to have him be a part of the program and to have another local product to come in and help build the program. We hope to continue to bring in local talent to be a part of the program as we build it."

Mosteller's relationships with Roadrunner Director of Tennis Bates and former Murray County High player Garrick Sanford were deciding factors in his college selection.. He has taken private lessons from Bates for four years.  "I have always been really close to Michel," he said. "I love her like she is part of my family. (DS signee) Garrick is like my big brother. He is the one who got me into tennis."

Mosteller helped to start tennis as a freshman at North Murray. He will now do the same at DS. "It is kind of weird to do this again, but I like it and I am proud to be a part of North Murray's first team in starting up," Mosteller said. A shooting guard on the Mountaineer's state play-off basketball team, Mosteller said he is now ready to concentrate on tennis.

NMHS tennis coaches Andrea Bynum and Nick Ross know what they will be missing, but they believe Mosteller's leadership should help underclassmen  as they step up and fill the gap.

"Drew is the ultimate competitor," said Ross. "He always wanted to win, but he was also a true leader," he added. "He has always taken things the right way in practice and on the court."

"Tennis really brings out great character," Ross told the gathering. "We are really proud of Drew and proud that he is going to continue his career at Dalton State. I hate to see him go, but we know that he left us a legacy." 

"Since his freshman year, he has been the backbone of the boys team as a player and as a teammate," said Bynum. "At the same time he has been the backbone of the girls team as a supporter," she added. 

Bynum said Mosteller always gives his all on the court, but doesn't trash talk.  "Drew never runs his mouth," she said. "He always lets his raquet do the talking."  She said the future Roadrunner is also an inspiration to his teammates. "When his teammates find themselves in a tough spot, Drew always has something positive to say."

"The girls team has always struggled more than the boys team," said Bynum. "When Drew wasn't on the court, he was always cheering the girls on and offering them words of encouragement. During practice he would sometimes hit to them and offer advice."

"Drew didn't need much coaching during his high school career," Bynum added. "But when he did he was always responsive to everything I told him. Drew is a great player with great character." 

"Dalton State is not only getting a great player but a great person," said Bynum.  "Win or lose, Drew always has something positive to say." 

Mosteller has played number one singles for The Mountaineers since the team was started in 2010.  His overall high school record was 43-11.  "We are going to miss him," Bynum said.  "But we are very proud of his accomplishments."

Cheryl Ary, Drew's aunt, cuts the cake.

Roadrunner coaches go over the paperwork before Mosteller signs.