April Phillips McClay
April (Phillips) McClay was arguably the greatest female tennis player from Bedford County to ever grace the courts.
She was the No. 1 singles and doubles player at Hyndman Londonderry High School for four straight years, all during Bedford County Hall of Fame coach Janet Phillips’ “Hyndman Tennis Dynasty.”
She compiled a high school dual meet record of 38-4, and she was the District 5 champion in her freshman, sophomore, and senior years.
During the district playoffs of her junior year, she was competed in the Lipton Series Championship in mixed doubles with her partner, Matt Bittner. They won the national title championship that year in Tampa, Florida.
April did return to Bedford County in time to win the District 5 mixed doubles title. That was one of four district titles in mixed doubles for the talented Lady Hornet netter. She won those four titles with three different partners to add even more luster to an already impressive high school resume.
West Virginia Wesleyan coach Jim Smith was very anxious to add Phillips to his heralded tennis program, which he did.
Phillips became the No. 2 player for West Virginia Wesleyan for all four years, and she won three straight West Virginia Intercollegiate Athlete Conference (WVIAC) titles in No. 2 singles. She teamed with Missy Bailey to become the No. 1 doubles team, and they were undefeated for three years.
Phillips and Bailey were co-captains and led their team to four WVIAC championships and participation in the national tournament in Kansas City all four years.
The doubles team of Phillips and Bailey had a record of 60-7 and won three District 28 titles and were named Doubles Team of the Year two times.
Phillips, who competed in tennis from the age of six, was inducted into the West Virginia Wesleyan Athletic Hall of Fame in 2000, a fitting tribute to the Lady Hornet whom Smith called one of his “living legends.”
April (Phillips) McClay was arguably the greatest female tennis player from Bedford County to ever grace the courts.
She was the No. 1 singles and doubles player at Hyndman Londonderry High School for four straight years, all during Bedford County Hall of Fame coach Janet Phillips’ “Hyndman Tennis Dynasty.”
She compiled a high school dual meet record of 38-4, and she was the District 5 champion in her freshman, sophomore, and senior years.
During the district playoffs of her junior year, she was competed in the Lipton Series Championship in mixed doubles with her partner, Matt Bittner. They won the national title championship that year in Tampa, Florida.
April did return to Bedford County in time to win the District 5 mixed doubles title. That was one of four district titles in mixed doubles for the talented Lady Hornet netter. She won those four titles with three different partners to add even more luster to an already impressive high school resume.
West Virginia Wesleyan coach Jim Smith was very anxious to add Phillips to his heralded tennis program, which he did.
Phillips became the No. 2 player for West Virginia Wesleyan for all four years, and she won three straight West Virginia Intercollegiate Athlete Conference (WVIAC) titles in No. 2 singles. She teamed with Missy Bailey to become the No. 1 doubles team, and they were undefeated for three years.
Phillips and Bailey were co-captains and led their team to four WVIAC championships and participation in the national tournament in Kansas City all four years.
The doubles team of Phillips and Bailey had a record of 60-7 and won three District 28 titles and were named Doubles Team of the Year two times.
Phillips, who competed in tennis from the age of six, was inducted into the West Virginia Wesleyan Athletic Hall of Fame in 2000, a fitting tribute to the Lady Hornet whom Smith called one of his “living legends.”
Class of 2018
Bedford County Sports Hall of Fame
Bedford County, Pennsylvania
Bedford County, Pennsylvania