HOUSTON – State Tennis Tournament Held at College Wooster Sees Impressive Performances by Ohio’s Top High School Girls

The Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) ventured into new territory by hosting a state tennis tournament at College Wooster, and it was a sight to behold. The beautiful setting, surrounded by a golf course and vibrant fall foliage, provided the backdrop for nearly 100 of Ohio’s best high school girls tennis players to compete for a spot in the Division I and Division II state semifinals.

Amidst the excitement, three standout players emerged as favorites for the title. Hoover’s Tess Bucher, Westlake’s Amara Brahmbhatt, and Avon’s Natalie Smitek dominated in the early rounds and found themselves facing each other in the quarterfinals.

Bucher, a senior and undefeated player, displayed her dominance against Olentangy Orange junior Avery Reed, winning 6-1, 6-0. Brahmbhatt, one of the few players who had challenged Bucher this year, defeated Sylvania Northview junior Maddie Peisley with ease.

Meanwhile, Smitek faced a tough challenge against Dublin Coffman junior Lauren Burkett, dropping a set before rallying to win the match 6-2, 2-6, 6-0. Smitek, the only player to take Bucher to three sets this season, proved her resilience.

As fate would have it, Bucher, Brahmbhatt, and Smitek found themselves in the same corner of the court. Bucher acknowledged the impending matchup, stating, “We all kind of have in mind that we’re going to play each other at some point.”

The weather conditions added to the dramatic atmosphere of the tournament, with gray skies, stiff winds, and temperatures around 60 degrees. While Bucher played in a tennis skirt and sleeveless top, officials bundled up in winter coats.

The Division I semifinals are set with Brahmbhatt facing Cincinnati Turpin’s Sarah Clark and Bucher taking on Smitek. The Bucher-Smitek match has been scheduled to take place indoors at Aspen Tennis Center due to the rainy forecast.

According to Scott Long, head coach at Centerville, Bucher is the player to beat in the tournament. Despite a challenging season, including a tough loss to Smitek, she has proven herself as a top contender.

The road to the state tournament has not been easy for these players, as they faced a six-day whirlwind of matches. Bucher triumphed over Smitek in the district semifinals but faced a surprising defeat in their next encounter during the Ohio Tennis Coaches Association state team quarterfinals.

Despite the setbacks, Bucher has remained focused and determined. She embraces the pressure and looks forward to showcasing her skills in the final rounds of the tournament.

Hoover had two doubles teams competing in the state tournament, but unfortunately, they were unable to advance to the next round. Nevertheless, Coach Ryan Shaffer praised their efforts and expressed satisfaction with the team’s overall performance.

The state tennis tournament at College Wooster has been a showcase of talent and dedication, with only the best players from Ohio competing for the title. It is a testament to their hard work and commitment to the sport.

For more information, contact Steve at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter @sdoerschukREP.

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Hoover’s Tess Bucher makes championship semis at OHSAA state tennis

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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.