Each year, the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) hosts a statewide tournament series for girls tennis, featuring both singles and doubles competition in two divisions (Class 1A for smaller schools and Class 2A for larger ones). Every school can send up to two singles players and two doubles teams to compete in the postseason. Before reaching the state finals, players must advance through their sectional tournaments. This year, the IHSA State Tournament was held the weekend of October 24th, and Highland Park qualified an impressive five players: Kourtnie Halperin, Mira Schmidt, Aidan Stolze, Gaby Gold, and Andie Lawrence.
“State is essentially one big tournament,” junior Kourtnie Halperin said, who placed 13th in doubles with her partner, Mira Schmidt. “There are 64 teams split into four sides of the bracket, and to get to state you have to win three matches in a row at sectionals.”
After earning their spot, Halperin and Mira faced early adversity, but battled through the back draw with determination.
“After losing our first match, advancing that far in the back draw was super difficult, but we persevered,” Halperin said. “We had a two-hour and forty-five-minute match against Fremd to make it to day two, which was pretty cool.”
The duo went on to win four straight matches, including an upset victory over New Trier.
“They ended up winning state as a team, so for us to beat them was pretty amazing,” she added.
Halperin’s resilience was mirrored by junior Gaby Gold and her partner Aidan Stolze, who finished 7th overall in doubles after a grueling weekend of competition.
“I felt a mixture of nerves and excitement while playing in the state tournament this year,” Gold said. “To win the whole thing, you have to win six straight matches. Aidan and I had to play seven matches overall. We made it to the round of 16, then played in the back draw and ended up getting 7th place.”
For Gold, the tournament was as rewarding as it was challenging.
“Playing state with one of my best friends was a great experience,” she said. “Not only do we work well together on the court, but we also have fun. We’ve created so many memories this season.”
For freshman Andie Lawrence, the state tournament was a defining moment in her first varsity season. Competing in singles, she quickly noticed how the stage felt different from anything she had experienced before.
“The atmosphere at state differed from other meets because there were a lot more players, coaches, and people watching,” Lawrence said. The added attention brought extra pressure, but it only fueled her determination. She shared that the experience has left her “so much more motivated to make it even farther in state next year.”
Halperin hopes her younger teammates continue to build on this year’s success.
“My advice is something one of my coaches told me: ‘You practice how you play,’” she said. “If you work hard every day to get better, chances are you will.”
The Highland Park girls tennis team’s performance at state showcased not only their talent but also their perseverance and team spirit. From a freshman making her singles debut to doubles teams battling deep into the back draw, every player demonstrated what hard work and determination can achieve. With this year’s success setting a high bar, the team is already looking ahead, ready to aim even higher next season.