DALLAS – Taylor Johnson's final regular season home match with SMU women's tennis figures to be interesting.
As part of the 10 a.m. Senior Day battle with Memphis (14-6) at the Styslinger/Altec Tennis Complex, Johnson and five other players will be honored for their time in Dallas. When the action starts, she'll do her best to play through discomfort from a nagging knee ailment.
It's not the exact position the highly competitive veteran was hoping for, but it isn't changing her focus on what's ahead.
"You just have to embrace adversity. You give everything you've got with what you have. I think that's kind of my outlook moving into the next couple weeks," Johnson said. "I have a lot of belief in our team and I think we're going to rise to the occasion, it's just trusting in the work that we've put in and the talent that we have and trusting in each other."
SMU (9-11) has come to rely on that poise and leadership since Johnson's arrival two years ago.
Following what she calls a "rocky career" due to setbacks at UCLA, the Prescott, Ariz., native was looking for a fresh start in 2022. She graduated early from UCLA and thanks to a redshirt year and the COVID-19 pandemic, had two years of eligibility remaining. She capitalized on the opportunity by doing two one-year graduate programs and earning a pair of masters.
Athletically, SMU coach Jeff Nevolo saw a player who had faced challenges but was ready to compete at the highest level. He never hesitated in reaching out to pitch what the Mustangs could offer.
"She's brought a lot of maturity. Some of the experiences that she's had off the court, she's gained a lot of wisdom from," Nevolo said. "When she's been at 100 percent, she just brings such a presence to our team. When Taylor's at her best, we're at our best – and that's beyond how she hits a tennis ball."
Last season was a showcase in that resurgence as she went 23-8 as a single player, closing the season on a 10-match win streak. She earned the AAC Tournament's Most Outstanding Performer after going 5-0 at the event, lifting the Mustangs to the league title and a berth in the NCAA Tournament. Johnson also earned a 24-12 combined doubles record with several partners.
From the moment she arrived, the SMU staff told Johnson she could excel. She quickly built relationships with her teammates by quietly putting her head down and working. It led to what she called a fairytale season.
"When you have that strong of a belief in your corner, you feel like the possibilities are endless," Johnson said. "Coming here, I just wanted to play a huge role with the team and make history here and just be a part of something great. I've been so lucky and so blessed to have just good teammates around me and just an amazing coaching staff to give me those opportunities."
While the discomfort has certainly had an impact on the outcome this year, Johnson isn't the only Mustang player who has faced adversity. About half of the roster has spent some amount of time recovering from an injury this year, leading to an up-and-down overall season for the program.
Still, the opportunity for a strong finish remains on the table as SMU will host the AAC Tournament starting April 17, giving the Mustangs home court advantage in their quest for a second straight league title.
For Johnson, that's the opportunity she is focused on. While she'd love to be at 100 percent down the stretch, she knows there's a bigger prize out there and that's something she is eager to play for.
"It's coming down to the final couple weeks for me as a college athlete and I want to make the most of it and I want to leave on a high note," Johnson said. "I want to leave knowing that I put everything out there, not only for myself but for my teammates and my coaches."
