Oklahoma high school girls tennis: Classen SAS' Sofia Acuña caps career with third title

Sofia Acuña was tired of attending swim meets.

She grew up around the pool because her sister Alexa swam competitively, but Sofia wanted to find a unique activity instead of following in her oldest sibling’s footsteps.

“Tennis just came naturally to her,” said Mariano Acuña, her father. “And she loved it from the moment she picked up a tennis racket. She hit a ball against the garage door, and that’s how she learned how to play tennis.”

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

Acuña, a Classen SAS senior, capped her high school tennis career with her third straight state title in No. 1 singles Saturday evening at Oklahoma City Tennis Center. She defeated Natalie Gillett of Tulsa Holland Hall, 6-1, 6-1, to secure the Class 5A individual championship.

Acuña never lost a high school match after her freshman season.

“The main thing that was going through my mind was just, ‘I need to get it done,’” Acuña said. “I know how to play tennis, and I just needed to do what I know how to do, and that was it.”

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Throughout her career, Acuña stayed consistent as Classen SAS hopped between classifications. She won the Class 5A title as a sophomore and claimed the 4A crown as a junior before jumping back up to 5A.

This season, Acuña won every set at state and dropped only three games. She opened the tournament with back-to-back straight-set victories against Ella Ramsey of Claremore and Madilyn Whittaker of Altus.

Despite her dominance, Acuña entered the tournament as the No. 3 seed, which she said she used as fuel. In the semifinals, she met second-seeded Maya Barki, the Tulsa Booker T. Washington sophomore who also hadn’t lost a set at state.

Acuña upset Barki, 6-1, 6-0, before rolling past No. 1-seeded Gillett for the crown.

After Acuña sealed the victory, a fan club of classmates, family members and coaches surrounded her. Acuña credited her family for providing significant support throughout her tennis journey, which includes the opportunity to compete in college. She is attending Dominican University in San Francisco to play tennis and study biology on a pre-med track.

Alexa Acuña grew emotional as she watched her youngest sister – the eager kid who practiced tennis in the garage – celebrate her final high school achievement before moving on to the next level.

“It’s really awesome watching her succeed in everything that she does,” Alexa said. “It’s never been a doubt that she’s a champion.”

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OCS’ Audrey Crooks wins 1st state title

The sun peeked through the clouds as Audrey Crooks’ state finals match began in the early evening.

By the time she finished competing, it was 9 p.m. and well past sunset. The Oklahoma Christian School sophomore persevered through an arduous 7-6 (4), 3-6, 6-3 match against Ashley Miller of Oklahoma Bible Academy to take the Class 4A crown in No. 1 singles.

As night fell over OKC Tennis Center and spectators waved signs bearing her name, Crooks stayed motivated with one vision.

“I was thinking about going up on the podium and being No. 1,” Crooks said.

Crooks reached the podium last year, but she wasn’t at the top. After placing third as a freshman, she entered this season’s tournament with momentum from a regional title.

Through her Friday matches, Crooks never dropped a game.

Crooks faced closer competition in the Saturday semifinals against Sadie Epps of Ada, but Crooks advanced with a 6-3, 7-5 victory before her marathon of a match against Miller in the finals.

“She’s very mentally tough,” said OCS coach Heather White. “She just stays steady. She doesn’t let things shake her. That definitely helped her out in that third set.”

More: Oklahoma high school tennis girls state championship results

Jenks goes back-to-back

Jenks extended its reign over Class 6A girls tennis.

The Trojans finished with 30 team points to repeat as state champions. Edmond Memorial placed second with 22 points, while Bixby followed 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 definitely a little more pressure,” Arant said. “I really wanted to defend my title. Both years were good, tough competition, and I’m glad I could pull it out.”

Every Jenks contender reached the semifinals, and the Trojans had finalists in every category except for No. 2 singles. Edmond Memorial freshman Evie Lunsford claimed the No. 2 singles title with a 6-0, 6-2 win against Macy Mueller of Bixby.

Notable results from Oklahoma high school tennis tournament

• After sharing the Class 5A state title with Tulsa Cascia Hall in 2023, Tulsa Holland Hall is the sole 5A champion. The Dutch won the title with 30 team points, while Bishop McGuinness finished as the runner-up with 22 points and Carl Albert placed third with 18. Cascia Hall moved up to Class 6A this year, paving the way for Holland Hall to take the 5A crown.

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

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