WINNING TO THE END: THOMAS LEAVES MARK ON OTAHK TENNIS

It's somewhat ironic that Mel Thomas is a student athletic trainer at Southeast Missouri State University who helps treat the school's injured athletes.

That's because Thomas, the lone senior on Southeast's women's tennis team has suffered through more than her share of injuries during her career.

"I've gotten to know a lot about injuries," said a laughing Thomas.

Thomas closed out her career Saturday in Southeast's 4-3 loss to Tennessee State.

The most serious injury Thomas had at Southeast was a pinched nerve in her elbow that ultimately led to surgery -- along with tendinitis and resulted in her having to redshirt her sophomore season. She's also had various knee and back problems.

"The injuries have definitely been frustrating," she said.

But despite having to endure an injury-riddled career, when Thomas was on the court, she was impressive.

Although the young Southeast squad struggled mightily this season, with a 5-13 overall record and an 0-7 Ohio Valley Conference mark, Thomas went 11-4 in singles and 10-6 in doubles after missing the first month of play.

During her career at Southeast, Thomas recorded 31 singles victories and 28 doubles triumphs.

"Even though I've missed a lot of time, it's a great way to wind up my season and career," said Thomas.

Southeast coach Donna Ryan is as happy as anybody that her No. 1 player bounced back and finish strong.

"It's been a good final year for her, even though she was out a month and couldn't practice," said Ryan. "She's played some beautiful tennis.

"She's not only a good player but a very good person. She's a good leader and we're going to miss her."

Thomas certainly did not take the traditional route to Southeast. She is from Australia and was recruited by former Otahkian coach Marla Reid, who persuaded Thomas to turn down other scholarship offers and come to Cape Girardeau.

But it was not exactly an academic match made in heaven for Thomas when she first arrived in Missouri.

"I actually hated school when I first came over here. I just wanted to come play tennis," she said with a smile. "But now I've learned to like it (school)."

Thomas has learned to like school enough to become an honor student. She has been a member of the Dean's List and is also a Southeast Scholar Athlete while majoring in both health management and psychology. She would like to coach college tennis some day.

And the girl from down under has gotten so accustomed to the American way of life not that there were that many differences to begin with that she wants to stay in the states after she graduates.

"I love it over here and I want to stay over here," said Thomas. "There was really no culture shock. It's very similar climate wise. Back home, you can have four seasons in one day, just like here. I guess about the only difference is there is more fast food down here."

But no fast cures for all those ailments.