Playing one singles in high school tennis is extremely challenging because every match is against the opponent’s best player. There are no breaks playing one singles, especially against schools with strong tennis programs.

Jagger Meller has been Southgate’s number one singles player for the past three seasons, including his freshman year. So what was it like for a ninth grader trying to navigate the hallways of high school while at the same time facing varsity opponents’ best players out on the tennis courts?

“Not very good,” he said when asked how it went. “It was challenging, more of a learning year.”

Same for his sophomore season?

“Yeah, still learning and progressing,” he said, admitting though that he was “winning more.”

Meller, 15, is again Southgate’s number one singles player, and the junior is feeling a little more comfortable on center court. The scouting report indicates he is quick with a strong forehand and good footwork – and now two years of experience playing against other teams’ top players.

“We have a good team this year and want to win the league and go to states,” he said. “We are all eager and hungry for this season.”

Meller’s first serve into tennis was when he took summer lessons through the Southgate Recreation Center before high school.

“I liked that it was a single sport,” he said.

He takes the sport very seriously and has a private coach, Mike Rose. His school coaches are Cordaro Sheets, Coach Sol and Coach Furkas.

“In the winter I play in tournaments and take classes,” Meller said. “In the summer before the school season starts, I have one private lesson a week and play four hours a day. During the school season we practice two hours after school.”

His hard work is paying off.

“Jagger is a very talented player,” said Sheets, Southgate’s varsity tennis coach. “He has a winner’s mindset and has a great work ethic. I am very proud of his progress as a player and his mental toughness.”

His mental toughness is a strong part of his game.

“I always remind myself of all the hard work I have put into this,” he said. “If I hit a bad shot or have a bad game, I talk to my coach and just put it behind me.”

Meller has been his team’s Most Valuable Athlete, Teammate of the Week, All-Academic Athlete and is a two-time Downriver League All-League selection.

The son of Jamie and Shelley Meller, Jagger enjoys disc golf and bike riding, and also plays varsity baseball for the Titans.

“I started playing for Southgate Little League when I was 5 and then went to travel ball at age 10,” he said.

Meller played middle infield and pitched last season for the Titans but missed four weeks with a broken scapula after getting hit by a pitch during a game. He was able to play in the district championship game, where he hit a double and drove in two runs.

Southgate finished 25-12 last season.

“We should be good again,” he said. “We have eight returning starters coming back and we are looking forward to the season.”

Meller still has time to decide his future after high school but he hopes tennis remains on his schedule.

“I would like to play tennis in college,” he said. “I am looking at college rosters and getting a list together of schools I am interested in.”