PREP GIRLS TENNIS: Anna Houpt, Reese Rundle return to state in rebuilding season
Oct. 16—DANVILLE — Anna Houpt and Reese Rundle were two of the six players that the Danville tennis team took to the IHSA Class 1A State Tournament.
That group came home with a third-place team trophy, but Houpt and Rundle were the only players returning this season.
"We lost four seniors from that team, so it's was completely a rebuilding season for us," said Houpt, a sophomore, who took fifth in the Class 1A doubles tournament with Lexi Ellis. "This has been a completely different year."
That's because Houpt will be heading to the state tournament in singles as she took second in the sectional tournament on Saturday, losing to Kruthi Ramanath of Urbana University High in the championship match.
"Playing doubles last year with a senior like Lexi (Ellis) was a little easier because I always had her on the court with me," Houpt said. "This year, playing singles, I'm basically on my own out there."
In Saturday's championship match, Houpt and Ramanath was tied 2-2 in the first set when a heavy mist started falling on the courts. Tournament officials were forced to move the matches inside the Danville Tennis Center.
That proved to be problem for Houpt, who won only two more games, while Ramanath won 10 on her way to a 6-3, 6-1 victory.
"I definitely prefer to play outside," said Houpt, noting that Ramanath, the top seed, was really talented. "Moving inside just threw me off a little bit and I especially didn't love the transition of starting outside and then moving inside during the first set.
"Both of us had to do, so I'm sure it was difficult for her, as well."
So, what made that transition so difficult?
"Basically, the changing climate," Houpt said. "Playing outside, you have to adjust for the sun and the wind. Moving inside, you have to completely change your game to adjust to a new set of conditions."
It wasn't quite the same for the third-place match between Rundle and Schlarman Academy senior Maya Jenny. Their match got moved inside before the first point, still it required some adjustment.
After winning the first set, 6-4, Rundle's bid for a straight-set victory was halted as Jenny came back to win the second set in a tiebreaker, 7-6.
In the third and decisive set, Rundle ran away with a 6-1 victory, as she will be making her third straight trip to the state tournament in singles.
A year ago, she went 2-2 at state, scoring four valuable points that helped the Vikings bring home a state trophy.
"Reese won two main draw matches last year at state," Danville coach Kathy Houpt said. "I think she can do even more this year."
Jenny, a senior, will also be making her third straight trip to state for the Hilltoppers. She had one win in the main draw last year and two victories in the consolation bracket.
Coach Houpt acknowledges taking all six players and winning a state trophy was a rare accomplishment last year, but she is still looking forward to this year's tournament.
"Reese and Anna have been our co-captains this year. They have done a nice job, especially when you consider that we graduated five players last year that had played together since they were in grade school," coach Houpt said. "Reese and Anna have great leaders this season on and off the court. They are playing some of their best tennis right now, and I excited to see what they can do."
Mahomet-Seymour, which advanced its two doubles teams to state, won the sectional title, while Urbana, which also advanced its two doubles teams to state, was second with Danville taking third.
