How Tess Bucher went from a 5-year-old amusing her mom to a high school tennis monster

Tess Bucher’s love for tennis began at a young age. At just 5 years old, she watched her mom play and knew she wanted to try it herself. As she started playing, people soon realized she had a natural talent for the sport.

Now, Tess is one of the best high school tennis players in the USA, with her sights set on her fourth consecutive OHSAA final four. Watching her play against an ordinary No. 1 singles player, you can see her skill and precision. She returns shots with incredible speed and accuracy, often outmatching her opponents.

Tess is not alone in her success. She captains the North Canton Hoover team, which is wrapping up a remarkable sports story in Stark County. The team’s coach, Ryan Shaffer, recently became the winningest high school tennis coach in Ohio history. Tess herself holds the record for the most wins by a girls tennis player in Stark County history.

As the season progresses, Tess and her teammates are competing in the OHSAA district tournament. Tess is playing singles, while two Hoover duos will be playing doubles. The team’s hard work and undefeated regular season have paid off, as they have secured automatic state berths and advanced to the district semifinals.

Tess’s talent was recognized early on by Joe Concialdi, a renowned tennis instructor in Stark County. Concialdi started giving Tess lessons when she was just 5 years old, and he immediately saw her potential. Tess’s dedication to the sport paid off, as she continued to excel and win tournaments throughout her childhood.

Although Tess also played other sports like basketball and softball, she eventually chose to fully focus on tennis. This decision led to a resurgence in her national rankings and caught the attention of college recruiters. She committed to the University of Kentucky to continue her academic and athletic career.

Tess’s dominance on the court has been evident throughout the 2023 season. With a perfect 30-0 record and a combined game score of 356-7, she has proven to be a force to be reckoned with. Coaches and opponents alike have praised her skill and work ethic, recognizing her potential to excel at the college level and beyond.

As the OHSAA district and state tournaments approach, Tess looks forward to facing other talented seniors and competing for a state championship. Her journey to this point has been filled with hard work and dedication, and she is determined to make the most of her final high school season.

Joining Tess at the OHSAA district tournament are other talented Stark County players, including Haylee Fearon from Perry and Alessandra McCann from Jackson in the singles category. In doubles, there are two teams from Jackson and one from Central Catholic. These players are also looking to make their mark and earn a spot at the state tournament.

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Jessica Roberts

Jessica Roberts serves up the latest in the world of tennis. With a love for the racket sport, she reports on tennis matches, player rankings, and Grand Slam events, ensuring readers stay informed about the tennis world.