By: Lisa Coffey, News Cheif
BABSON PARK - Tennis player Holly Parnell is following family tradition.
The Lake Region senior signed a scholarship Wednesday with Webber International University, where her father, Rick, earned his Bachelor's degree in business management and her grandmother, Lois Vaugh, worked for decades.
"This is a perfect match," Rick said while sitting next to the WIU tennis courts.
Parnell, 18, took her first tennis lessons as a youngster from tennis coach
Bill Heath's son, Trey.
Parnell played No. 2 and 3 for the Thunder for three seasons.
She also was a four year varsity cheerleader at Lake Region, and served as team captain for three seasons.
Parnell is President of the Lake Region chapter of Tri-M, a music honor society. She plays guitar, piano and sings with the choir. She recently was earned the Lake Region music department's leadership award for the 2009-2010 year.
In addition, Parnell is a national honor society member who is dual-enrolled at Polk State College, where she was also a cheerleader. With the Vikings, she was named best cheerleader for the 2009-2-10 school year.
Parnell will major in sports management with a minor in pre-law. She will live with her grandmother while attending WIU.
"I'm very excited to have her," Heath said. "She's going to really add to our history of good tennis players who have a strong academic standing. Plus, it's always nice to have the local kids on the team."
