Without a golf coach or team this fall, Midland Valley High School senior Bentli Jones decided to try a new sport.

"She's playing No. 5 singles and No. 2 doubles. She's helped us a lot. She's a quick learner," said David Mitchum, Midland Valley's tennis coach.

Tennis should come easy to Bentli because she's been playing softball for many years.

"If you can hit a ball, you can play tennis. You would never know this was her first year," Mitchum said.

Bentli picked up her first bat when she was still in preschool.

"I was 4 or 5 playing T-ball," she said.

Over the years, she has continued with softball, playing for the Midland Valley team since she was in eighth grade and playing travel league softball for the Carolina Raiders and Carolina Storm.

"She's a really hard worker," said softball coach Michelle Yeater. "She's determined to be a success. You can count on her all the time."

Bentli, who plays left field, said she's strongest on defense. One of the highlights of her high school softball career occurred last year during a game against Chapin, which the Mustangs won.

"The game ended in (my making) a diving catch," Bentli said. "Everybody was just excited."

Bentli played a fall sport because coach Yeater urges all of her players to keep in shape year-round.

Bentli started with golf in her freshman year, but she said she's glad she's been able to give tennis a try.

"I've enjoyed it a lot," she said. "I like the competitiveness. In golf, you are competing against yourself."

Bentli said she's involved in sports because it provides some relief from stress.

"It's an escape from life," she said.

When she's not on a court or diamond, Bentli is involved in other extracurricular activities. She's president of the student body, and a member of the Beta Club and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

She said she plans to attend the College of Charleston and then go to law school.

Reach Charmain Z. Brackett at czbrackett@hotmail.com.