Oklahoma highschool ladies tennis: Classen SAS’ Sofia Acuña caps profession with third title

Sofia Acuña was bored with attending swim meets.

She grew up across the pool as a result of her sister Alexa swam competitively, however Sofia needed to discover a distinctive exercise as an alternative of following in her oldest sibling’s footsteps.

“Tennis simply got here naturally to her,” stated Mariano Acuña, her father. “And she or he beloved it from the second she picked up a tennis racket. She hit a ball towards the storage door, and that’s how she discovered play tennis.”

Her childhood choice to pursue a brand new sport has rewarded her immensely.

Acuña, a Classen SAS senior, capped her highschool tennis profession along with her third straight state title in No. 1 singles Saturday night at Oklahoma Metropolis Tennis Middle. She defeated Natalie Gillett of Tulsa Holland Corridor, 6-1, 6-1, to safe the Class 5A particular person championship.

Acuña by no means misplaced a highschool match after her freshman season.

“The primary factor that was going by means of my thoughts was simply, ‘I must get it finished,’” Acuña stated. “I understand how to play tennis, and I simply wanted to do what I understand how to do, and that was it.”

Extra: Why Casady is savoring Oklahoma highschool tennis tournaments

All through her profession, Acuña stayed constant as Classen SAS hopped between classifications. She received the Class 5A title as a sophomore and claimed the 4A crown as a junior earlier than leaping again as much as 5A.

This season, Acuña received each set at state and dropped solely three video games. She opened the event with back-to-back straight-set victories towards Ella Ramsey of Claremore and Madilyn Whittaker of Altus.

Regardless of her dominance, Acuña entered the event because the No. 3 seed, which she stated she used as gas. Within the semifinals, she met second-seeded Maya Barki, the Tulsa Booker T. Washington sophomore who additionally hadn’t misplaced a set at state.

Acuña upset Barki, 6-1, 6-0, earlier than rolling previous No. 1-seeded Gillett for the crown.

After Acuña sealed the victory, a fan membership of classmates, members of the family and coaches surrounded her. Acuña credited her household for offering vital help all through her tennis journey, which incorporates the chance to compete in faculty. She is attending Dominican College in San Francisco to play tennis and examine biology on a pre-med monitor.

Alexa Acuña grew emotional as she watched her youngest sister – the keen child who practiced tennis within the storage – have fun her remaining highschool achievement earlier than transferring on to the following degree.

“It’s actually superior watching her reach every little thing that she does,” Alexa stated. “It’s by no means been a doubt that she’s a champion.”

Extra: Oklahoma highschool monitor & subject: Washington, Douglass ladies win state titles

OCS’ Audrey Crooks wins 1st state title

The solar peeked by means of the clouds as Audrey Crooks’ state finals match started within the early night.

By the point she completed competing, it was 9 p.m. and effectively previous sundown. The Oklahoma Christian Faculty sophomore persevered by means of an arduous 7-6 (4), 3-6, 6-3 match towards Ashley Miller of Oklahoma Bible Academy to take the Class 4A crown in No. 1 singles.

As evening fell over OKC Tennis Middle and spectators waved indicators bearing her title, Crooks stayed motivated with one imaginative and prescient.

“I used to be fascinated with going up on the rostrum and being No. 1,” Crooks stated.

Crooks reached the rostrum final yr, however she wasn’t on the prime. After inserting third as a freshman, she entered this season’s event with momentum from a regional title.

Via her Friday matches, Crooks by no means dropped a sport.

Crooks confronted nearer competitors within the Saturday semifinals towards Sadie Epps of Ada, however Crooks superior with a 6-3, 7-5 victory earlier than her marathon of a match towards Miller within the finals.

“She’s very mentally powerful,” stated OCS coach Heather White. “She simply stays regular. She doesn’t let issues shake her. That undoubtedly helped her out in that third set.”

Extra: Oklahoma highschool tennis ladies state championship outcomes

Jenks goes back-to-back

Jenks prolonged its reign over Class 6A ladies tennis.

The Trojans completed with 30 staff factors to repeat as state champions. Edmond Memorial positioned second with 22 factors, whereas Bixby adopted with 16.

Jenks sophomore Avery Arant secured her second straight No. 1 singles championship with a 6-2, 6-2 victory over Edmond Memorial senior Ava Goodell.

“It was undoubtedly slightly extra stress,” Arant stated. “I actually needed to defend my title. Each years have been good, powerful competitors, and I’m glad I may pull it out.”

Each Jenks contender reached the semifinals, and the Trojans had finalists in each class apart from No. 2 singles. Edmond Memorial freshman Evie Lunsford claimed the No. 2 singles title with a 6-0, 6-2 win towards Macy Mueller of Bixby.

Notable outcomes from Oklahoma highschool tennis event

• After sharing the Class 5A state title with Tulsa Cascia Corridor in 2023, Tulsa Holland Corridor is the only real 5A champion. The Dutch received the title with 30 staff factors, whereas Bishop McGuinness completed because the runner-up with 22 factors and Carl Albert positioned third with 18. Cascia Corridor moved as much as Class 6A this yr, paving the best way for Holland Corridor to take the 5A crown.

• In its OSSAA debut, Casady positioned third in Class 4A. Ada received the state title, and Christian Heritage completed as runner-up.

This text initially appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma HS tennis: Classen SAS senior Sofia Acuña wins third title