Thunder nets another golden girl

After dislocating her ankle and missing her sophomore season, Out-of-Door Academy junior M’Balia Bangoura didn’t know if she would be the same player on the court this year. 

But Bangoura quickly discovered that not only was she where she needed to be, but perhaps she was even better. 

Bangoura returned to form this season, winning the Class 1A-District 9 No. 1 singles title and earning an automatic berth in the state tournament. 

Bangoura, who was making her first state tournament appearance in three years, captured both the individual and overall singles titles at the Class 1A Florida High School Tennis State Championships April 13 through April 15, in Sanford. 

It was Bangoura’s first state title and ODA’s fifth girls individual state title. Bangoura defeated Clearwater Central Catholic’s Jacque Iazaro 6-4, 6-0 in the individual singles tournament before defeating American Heritage’s Angelica Blake 6-0, 6-2 for the overall singles crown. 

“It was a relief because I put a lot of pressure on myself to do well,” Bangoura says. “The other girl (Angelica Blake) was in eighth grade, so I didn’t want to lose to her.

“I expected it to be challenging,” Bangoura says. “I didn’t want to go in cocky. I wanted to overestimate so I wouldn’t be surprised.” 

Bangoura returned to the court two days later to compete in the Women’s Draw of the Sarasota Open. Bangoura, who was competing in the tournament for the first time, advanced to the finals before falling to Fanny Stollar, who trains at IMG Academy, 6-1, 6-3. 

It was an eye-opening experience for Bangoura, who saw what it was like to play in front of a large crowd and to have referees and ball kids like they do in the pros. 

“I was nervous,” Bangoura says. “I didn’t want to get crushed. I wanted to do well.”

“I know I could’ve done better, but at the time that was the best that I could do,” Bangoura says. “I now know what I need to do and what to improve on.” 

Bangoura began playing tennis when she was 3, after watching her older brother, Sekou Bangoura, play. 

The two siblings may be six years apart, but the age difference didn’t deter the younger Bangoura from trying to absorb every ounce of tennis knowledge she could from her older brother. 

“When you’re younger, you enjoy it more because you don’t have to worry about competing,” Bangoura says. “You just go out there and play. It’s not held against you because you’re just a kid.”

Growing up, Bangoura learned how to compete against a variety of different skill sets while both practicing with and watching her brother compete. Bangoura quickly progressed and, before long, she was ready to compete in tournaments. She played her first tournament when she was 6 and won her first championship the following year. 

Bangoura has since developed into a hard-hitting player who is more likely to attack the net, which is the opposite of her older brother, whom she describes as a more crafty and consistent player.

“I like the individuality of (singles). If you lose, it’s your fault. You don’t have to rely on anyone. It’s just you out there.” – M’Balia Bangoura

Bangoura’s ability to find ways to match up against opposing styles has played to her advantage on more than one occasion. She is ranked No. 10 in Florida and No. 52 in the nation among junior tennis players in the class of 2016. 

Most recently, Bangoura competed in the USTA Florida Level 5 Cambier Park Girl’s 18s tournament April 25 through April 27, in Naples. Bangoura won her first two matches before falling in the quarterfinals. 

She then went on to the consolation bracket, where she won both her playoff semifinal and final matches. 

“I like the individuality of (singles),” Bangoura says. “If you lose, it’s your fault. You don’t have to rely on anyone. It’s just you out there.” 

Contact Jen Blanco at [email protected].