Varsity girls tennis players have a successful showing at the individual state tournament

Sasha Milbeck, Editor-in-Chief|October 15, 2017

One Homestead singles player and one doubles team medaled at the D1 WIAA Individual State Tennis Tournament. The tournament was held at the Nielsen Tennis Stadium from Thursday, Oct. 12 to Saturday, Oct. 14.

Initially, eight of Homestead’s varsity tennis players qualified for the individual state tournament. After winning their sectional, the number one doubles and singles teams automatically qualified for state.

In the singles lineup, two players qualified for individual state. One singles player, Andie Weise, sophomore, came into the tournament with an undefeated record and received the first seed at state. Two singles player, Natalie Yang, sophomore, also qualified for the tournament.

In the doubles lineup, the one doubles team consisting of Frankie La Londe, senior, and Alyssa Boyer, senior, received the second seed at the tournament due to their almost perfect 30-2 record. The two doubles team, Bridget Brown, sophomore, and Sasha Shapsis, sophomore, also won their sectional and went into the tournament as the fourteenth seed with a 31-2 record. The three doubles team, Kate Wade, freshman, and Grace Crowley, junior, received a special qualifier to play at state due to their undefeated 33-0 record.

In the singles bracket, both Weise and Yang won their first round and advanced to the second. Unfortunately, Yang had to play De Pere High School’s fifteenth seeded player in the second round and was defeated 6-0, 6-3.

“The atmosphere at Nielsen Stadium is very different than what we are used to, but once you get on the court, you are focused on your match. Our team did a really good job of encouraging each other, especially during the tight matches,” Yang said.

Weise swept through her first four matches until facing a difficult opponent in the semifinals. After a three-set match, Weise defeated Whitnall High School’s four seed player 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, and advanced to the finals.

In the finals, Weise played Kiki Risgaard, the third seed from Neenah High School, and was defeated 7-5, 6-0. After losing her last match, Weise placed second in the D1 individual state singles tournament.

In the doubles bracket, all three teams won the first two rounds. However, in the third round, Wade and Crowley faced Neenah High School’s one seed team.

However, in the third round, Wade and Crowley faced Neenah High School’s one doubles team: the one seed and the doubles team that was expected to win state.

“We knew that being the only three doubles team at state meant that we would be underestimated, but we used that to our advantage and showed them that we are a force to be reckoned with,” Wade said.

In an incredibly close match, Neenah defeated Homestead 6-3, 7-6 (8-6).

“Grace and I came into the match knowing that it was going to be a tough competition, but we fought hard and are proud of how far we got against some of the best teams in the state,” Wade said.

Shapsis and Brown advanced to the third round where they played Nicolet’s one doubles team and the third seed at state. In a nail-biting match, Shapsis and Brown were defeated 6-2, 7-5.

“Playing at individual state was an incredible experience. The team fought hard and everyone played so well. I’m so happy to be a part of this team and play with these girls,” Shapsis said.

Boyer and La Londe won five matches and advanced to the finals where they played Monona Grove High School’s fifth-seeded team. In a three-set match, Monona Grove defeated Homestead 6-3, 5-7, 6-2. Homestead’s loss in the finals led to Boyer and La Londe placing second in the D1 doubles individual state tournament.

“I’ve been fortunate enough to be able to play at the individual state tournament all four years of high school and I really wanted to make the most of one of my last times at Nielsen,” La Londe said. “Alyssa and I both gave it everything we had in the finals and truly left it all on the court. Our whole finals match was a rollercoaster of momentum shifts and even though we didn’t win, I couldn’t have been more proud of my partner, our match and our entire senior year season.”

The girls will be returning to Neilsen next weekend for team state and are looking forward to fighting for another state title.

“We fought very hard against the top teams in the state and were able to secure the unexpected win in some matches. Neilsen is an intense atmosphere and I thought the team handled it well,” Brown said. “We’re all excited to be back next week and fight for another state title.”

“I’m really looking forward to playing again in Madison next weekend and representing my school at team state,” La Londe said. “To win and do well at team state is almost more valuable to me than doing well in the individual tournament.”