Girls varsity tennis team wins state championship

Abbi Passey, Staffer|October 23, 2016

The+girls+varsity+tennis+team+hug+after+winning+state.+The+girls+were+undefeated+throughout+their+entire+season.+I+couldnt+have+been+more+happy+to+have+won+state+with+my+teammates%2C+Helen+Watkins%2C+junior%2C+said.+

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The girls varsity tennis team hug after winning state. The girls were undefeated throughout their entire season. “I couldn’t have been more happy to have won state with my teammates,” Helen Watkins, junior, said.

The girls varsity tennis team won the D1 WIAA team state tournament on Saturday, Oct. 22. Homestead was ranked first in the state from the first week of season and the team remained undefeated until the end.

After winning sectionals, the team qualified to play in the tournament. Going in with the one seed, the girls had a tough draw and very strong competition.

In the first round, Homestead played Brookfield East and won 4-3.

In the semi-finals they competed against rival Nicolet, winning 6-1. The girls played Nicolet many times throughout the season and pulled out the biggest win at state.

In the finals, Homestead brought home the win after defeating Neenah, the defending state champion. After being tied with Neenah three all, Katya Mikhailenko, senior captain, won the last match securing Homestead the win and the state title.

“After Katya won that last point of that match, my teammates and I were filled with excitement and happiness. We immediately ran down to meet Katya on the court and we all gave her a huge hug. Some of us were so happy that we were crying. Katya was so happy, yet so sad, because it was her last high school match. I don’t think it could’ve ended in a better way,” Frankie LaLonde, junior said.

As the tennis team was undefeated all season, it was their main goal to win state. The girls ended up succeeding and had an undefeated season, not losing a single team tournament.

“It was the ultimate goal all season long to win state. I wanted it so badly because it was my last time playing high school tennis. I won my last match, I clinched the overall win for the team and together we took home the championship! It couldn’t have been a better ending,” Mikhailenko said.

The girls will be looking to defend their number one title next season.

“Winning state was very exciting and a great experience! It was my first time playing at Nielsen. It was just really cool to just be able to play there, and even cooler to win state. I can’t wait for next season and I know that we can win state again,” Helen Watkins, junior, said.