Tennis Player, Jasper High School

Words by Linley Allred | Images by Al Blanton

Tennis is in Scout Barber’s blood, and she proves it every time she steps onto the court.

Scout has been a member of the Jasper High School varsity tennis team since she was 12 years old. Now entering her sixth season, she is still going strong. She has served as captain of the girls’ team for the past two years and has held the No. 1 spot in both singles and doubles since her sophomore season.

Scout was quite literally born to play tennis. Her parents played high school tennis, and her two older brothers—both state champions—also played for Jasper High School.

She first picked up a racket at four years old, when she began taking private lessons from Grant Rolley, the tennis professional at Musgrove Country Club.

“Grant taught me so much about tennis, especially my forehand slice,” she says. “He has always been a big part of my tennis journey – from tournaments to individual matches to just lessons and clinics.”

At 10 years old, Scout competed in her first tennis tournament at Hoover Country Club. She won, and has not let up since.

Scout became the first female tennis player to make Jasper’s varsity team as a seventh grader, playing under Coach Christian Matthews.

“Coach Matthews has always been there for me – for the good times and bad. He has watched me grow up a lot over the past five years, and he has become one of my biggest role models,” she says.

Scout also credits her father, who passed away in 2023, with inspiring her love of the sport.

“My dad had the greatest impact on my tennis game. From first teaching me how to keep score to playing mixed doubles tournaments together, he shaped me into the player I am today,” Scout says. “He always instilled ‘Better Play’ into my tennis game. This created my mindset to always strive to become a better player, better student, and better person in life.”

One of Scout’s fondest tennis memories came during her freshman season. She and her doubles partner, Maitland Baxter, played No. 2 doubles and finished as state runners-up after falling to Mobile’s UMS-Wright Prep.

“My freshman season has been one of my favorites,” she says. “Our team was close like sisters, which led to all our success. I was the only player in the lineup that did not graduate that year.”

In May 2026, Scout was selected for the Alabama High School Athletic Association’s North-South All-Star Tennis Team. The tournament took place in July in Montgomery, where Scout competed for the North team.

“I had so much fun playing with some of the girls that I have competed against and become good friends with over the years. It was an honor to represent Jasper High School and Walker County,” she says.

Scout plays tennis five to six days a week throughout the year, except when rain or frozen courts prevent her from practicing. During the fall, she also competes for the Jasper High School varsity swim team, which helps keep her in shape for the spring tennis season.

“Swim has been a major part of my life too; I cherish every moment I get to spend alongside my teammates, both with swim and tennis,” she says.

After swim or tennis practice, Scout works at the Jasper Tennis Academy and also teaches private tennis lessons.

Following her high school graduation in the spring of 2027, Scout will attend the University of Alabama as a fourth-generation student and major in nursing. She plans to take a break from competitive tennis to focus on her studies, but she knows she cannot stay away for too long.

After all, tennis is in her blood. 78