Ottawa’s girls tennis is back at it again. Just like the previous year’s girls tennis team, this year’s team went 8-0 heading to state. IHSA Girls State Tennis tournament was held at Wheeling and Hoffman Estates.
Seniors Zulee Moreland and Yaqueline Hernandez-Solis were crowned this year’s Sectionals doubles champions at their very own court on October 16 and 17, while other seniors Brooklyn Byone and Rylee Harsted placed 4th overall. Regarding goals for this season senior Brooklyn Byone, said, “Me and Rylee were doubles partners, so we agreed early on in the year that we wanted to go to State. That was our main goal. So all season we have been working towards it. So, knowing that we qualified at all is really exciting.” Senior Yaqueliene Hernandez-Solis, stated, “We really knew we were going to state. We already had it on our minds since winter practices. Our goal was just to last as long as possible. That truly was our main goal.” The girls tennis team definitely beat their goals overall this season.
Regarding the long OTHS tennis tradition, Senior Rylee Harsted said, “Stepping onto that court, it is just an honor to be able to do that, and even after being able to meet the people that it is named after (Tom Henderson / Lyle Guenther) it gives us a confidence boost.” That shows how important the OHS tennis team is to every player involved.
How did they prepare for the IHSA State Championship? Senior Zulee Moreland said “Tennis is a lot like fishing… in the sense that you have to go in with a plan. And, well, it might not work every single time, but the more you do it, the better you are going to get at it.
At state Seniors Rylee Harsted and Brooklyn Boynes seasons came to an end early, but OTHS doubles were not done as Seniors Zulee Moreland and Yaqueline Hernandez-Solis went 3-1 on day one and ended up being eliminated on day two.
