Lady Knights tennis 6th at State
By Anthony Jones
TROY — Triad’s girls tennis team earned the second-highest finish in program history at last week’s IHSA State Finals.
The Lady Knights compiled a total of 15 points throughout the tournament to finish sixth place in Class 1A. Their tally left them just outside of the top five, which was rounded out by Marian’s 17 point showing.
Five of the team’s points came from the doubles team of freshman Averi Moore and sophomore Hailey D’Aunoy.
Moore and D’Aunoy began the tournament with a 6-0, 6-2 victory against a Paris squad. Their second round matchup, which was against the eventual fourth place finishers from Benet Academy, saw the Lady Knights fall 6-1, 6-3.
In the consolation bracket, the duo battled to a 3-6, 6-3, 10-7 victory over foes from Flora. Moore and D’Aunoy clinched an All-State spot in the following round with a 6-4, 6-3 win in play against Mahomet-Seymour.
On the second day of the tournament, the pairing returned to the courts with a 6-2, 4-6, 11-9 victory over a Dunlap duo. Their march through the consolation bracket ended the following round with a 2-6, 7-6 (4), 10-8 setback against a Father McGivney duo, who went onto a fifth place finish.
Triad’s other doubles squad, junior Kate Watts and sophomore Kacey Ruger, also earned All-State honors at the tournament. They were responsible for four team points as well.
The duo began with a 6-1, 6-1 win against a Joliet Catholic squad. In the second round, they fell 6-1, 6-0 to the eventual champions from Benet Academy.
Watts and D’Aunoy struck another big win in their introduction to the consolation bracket, breezing by St. Anthony foes in a 6-1, 6-1 matchup. A 5-7, 7-6 (2), 10-7 victory over a Normal University pairing kept the duo running into the second day of the tournament.
Their season ultimately ended with a 6-3, 1-6, 10-3 defeat to Highland foes.
Triad’s top-scoring singles player was Andie Green. The senior finished with four points for the Knights and secured an All-State spot.
In her first round, she took down Crystal Lake South’s Rachelle Appelhans in a 6-2, 6-0 matchup. Green won again in the second round in a 6-1, 6-2 victory over Eliza Agate of Mahomet-Seymour.
To start the third round, Green fell 6-0, 6-0 to Chloe Goins to Hinsdale South. Goins went on to win the singles state title.
In consolation play, Green fell 6-4, 5-7 (10-8) to Payton’s Saya Tanabe.
Junior London Looby also competed in singles play for the Lady Knights.
In her first round matchup, Looby turned in a 6-2, 6-1 win against DePaul’s Rose Brody. Her win tallied two points for Triad.
Against Maroa-Forsyth’s Ella Sandgren, Looby fell in a 6-2, 6-2 decision. The junior was then eliminated from the consolation bracket in a 6-1, 6-0 defeat to Ellie Aitken of Sterling.
London Looby races to the net in recent play. (Photo by Anthony Jones)
