MARION &8212; Right before you go off to college, calls come streaming in from telemarketers and cold callers trying to push everything from credit cards to meal plans on unsuspecting teens about to get their first glimpse at reality. Yet few students are ever cold called by their school of choice asking if they are interested in competing athletically on the college level with a chance for a scholarship.

Incoming freshman women at the Marion Military Institute are one group, if there are any others, that can make such a claim. Charles Wright, the recently hired tennis coach for the first year sport at the school, began his coaching career at the school manning the phones to fill out a roster.

As expected, cold calling female students coming to the school, the talent level of the current team is varied, from skilled players to players unfamiliar with the game. Wright said the goals for this year&8217;s group in not consistent with goals at most schools with tennis teams.

Wright&8217;s group has already faced a trial by fire this season, competing in two tournaments thus far. For the most part, Wright said the matches have been tough going, but during his pre-season calls he came across one diamond in the rough.

Rowe, who hails from Yorktown, Va., hasn&8217;t been so lucky in college, but, along with dropping matches, Rowe has shined as well posting the best finish for the team.

The fledgling group gets their first home advantage Friday, when they host Snead State Community College in their first home match at 2 p.m. The group&8217;s second and final home match is at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 3 against Oxford College of Emory University.