The Wheaton Academy girls tennis team began their season at Metea Valley (Aurora) on August 29
th as they fell to both Benet Academy and Metea Valley. The Warriors first home meet took place against Wheaton-Warrenville South with the duo of
Annabella Eckert and
Elizabeth Dieter winning at No. 3 doubles.
Following a 4-1 loss to Kaneland (Maple Park), the Warriors competed in their first conference match of the year as Eckert and
Amelia Mack won at No. 3 doubles but fell 4-1 to Timothy Christian (Elmhurst). After three more losses, Wheaton Academy earned their first win of the season, as they beat IC Catholic Prep (Elmhurst) 4-1.
Gloria Grace Poland earned the singles win, while the Warriors swept doubles competition.
On September 26
th, they competed in the Glenbard North Quad meet and took second place as a team.
Anna Casto won her match against South Elgin at No. 2 singles while Eckert and Mack won their doubles contest.
Wheaton Academy won their first Metro Suburban match as they took down Rosary (Aurora) 4-1. Poland and Casto each won at their respective singles matches while
Audrey Liftin/
Jillian Paulson and Eckert/Mack won at doubles. The Warriors continued their momentum in their next contest by defeating Bartlett 4-3. They swept the four doubles spots to secure the win for the Warriors.
After a 5-2 loss to Glenbard South, Wheaton Academy bounced back against Lisle as they won 3-2 over the Lions. Casto won her respective singles match while Liftin/Paulson and Eckert/Dieter won their doubles contests.
In the conference tournament, the Warriors earned fourth place as the doubles tandem of
Schuyler Williams and Mack took third place for their division. Liftin/Paulson also finished in third place at the event.
Following a senior night exhibition against Timothy Christian, they moved onto the IHSA Regional Tournament. Liftin and Paulson were the best performing Warriors as they took down their Elgin Academy opponents in two sets. On the year, the girls tennis team finished 4-10.
Senior
Schuyler Williams used the change of schedules to her advantage as she was able to play tennis for the first time. "One week before tennis tryouts, volleyball was declared "postponed" for the 2020-2021 season. I then decided to play tennis a few days later and thought I would give it a shot. About one week before tryouts I started practicing, which was my first time playing this sport," Williams said.
"We were unsure how the season was going to end, or if we were even going to make it to the end of the season. Every practice that we could step foot on the courts was truly a gift," said Williams. "All we could do is remain positive, pray often, laugh, keep encouraging each other, and have fun competing."
Elizabeth Dieter enjoys how the team came together for the season. "Tennis is often looked at as an individual sport because you are playing by yourself or with one other person," Dieter said. "I think an awesome thing about our team is that we are very team-based. You feel like you are a part of something bigger while on the court."
"It is really cool to see how God can use tennis for us to show his love to other people," said Dieter.
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