Rochester’s Mayo High School Dominates Class 2A State Girls Tennis Championships

MINNEAPOLIS — Mayo High School in Rochester, Minnesota, experienced an incredible feat at the Class 2A State Girls Tennis Championships this year. The school’s junior, Claire Loftus, became the Class 2A state girls tennis singles champion, a title that Mayo has not won since 2011. Loftus played a flawless game against No. 1-ranked Cassandra Li of Eagan, winning the match 7-5, 6-0 at the University of Minnesota’s Baseline Tennis Center.

Mayo High School also had success in the doubles category, with the duo of freshman Malea Diehn and junior Keely Ryder rallying to win the title match 3-6, 6-3, 6-4. This victory completed an extraordinary season for the Mayo girls tennis team, who also won the Class 2A state team title earlier in the week, defeating Edina 6-1 to finish the season undefeated with a record of 26-0.

“For me, it was a little bit emotional,” said Loftus. “It was just all of the hard work I’ve put into this paying off. Being able to represent my school, it means a lot.”

Loftus’ win marks only the second time in Mayo High School’s history that a singles player has won a Class 2A state title. The last time was in 2003 by Caitlin Loprinzi. Mayo High School also boasts three other state champions in girls singles: Jessie Aney (Century, 2011), Kelsey Frechette (Century, 2010), and Loftus’ teammate Aoife Loftus (fourth place in this year’s singles tournament).

In the doubles category, Mayo’s Malea Diehn and Keely Ryder entered the state tournament as the No. 1 seed and faced tough competition from Lakeville North’s Keira Kelly and Addy Bowlby. However, Diehn and Ryder managed to turn the match around after losing the first set, ultimately winning the match and clinching the state title with a score of 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.

Overall, the Mayo High School tennis team’s success at the state championships is a dream come true for the players and their coach, Jeff Demaray. The team’s triple crown victory (team title, singles title, and doubles title) is a testament to their hard work and dedication throughout the season.

“This was so cool,” said Diehn. “I’d been hoping for this the entire season. It was such a cool experience and accomplishment.”

Mayo High School’s dominance in the Class 2A State Girls Tennis Championships is a true reflection of their talent and commitment to the sport. Their victories will be remembered and celebrated for years to come.

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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.