Reagan Ruthsatz mentor for young, talented Port Clinton tennis

Port Clinton is known for tennis.

Ask Bryan, one of the final four teams at the state tournament last season. Bryan saw an opening on Port Clinton's schedule later this month and volunteered to come fill it.

"For them to reach out, that's all about the program and knowing you'll get a good match against Port Clinton," coach Joe Miller said. "It's a community commitment to tennis, that's why there's been so much success year in and year out."

Port Clinton's Reagan Ruthsatz wanted Port Clinton tennis to return to eminence. As a senior, she's helped make it happen.

"Man, has she brought the program back," Miller said. "Gracie Arnold is next in line. Reagan has been an inspiration to young girls in the program to bring us back to the glory days. Reagan committed to bringing it back to prominence."

Port Clinton (8-5, 5-2) is ranked seventh in the Northwest District.

"The highlight is yet to come, with a young group," Miller said. "Last week, St. Mary is the best team in the conference, no doubt. We were right with them and lost 3-2. We have a chance to go undefeated the rest of the way because a young team is growing up.

"The future is very exciting because of the youth. We have a good middle school crew. At camps this summer there were over 75 kids in grades 1 through 12, at a tennis camp. Not too many camps draw similar numbers to football."

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St. Mary Central Catholic, coached by Miller's younger brother Danny Miller, beat Port Clinton twice this season. SMCC is 11-1 and unbeaten in the SBC Bay Division.

Ruthsatz earned her 75th career victory this season to earn status on the school record board in the gym. She has 77 wins.

"She'll always be remembered as an all-time great in the program," Miller said. "She's the leader of our program. We knew about Reagan in middle school. As a freshman, it felt like she'd been a part of the program.

"She bled Port Clinton since middle school."

Ruthsatz exceeded her own expectations.

"As a freshman and sophomore, I never thought I'd be able to do that," she said. "Last year, it became a reality. It's awesome to accomplish. It's been cool, I've put in hard work."

She's 9-4, including 5-2 in the Sandusky Bay Conference Bay Division. The most important match of her season might have been a loss against Maumee Valley Country Day.

She lost a lopsided first set 6-1 before taking the second set 6-2. She trailed a tiebreaker 5-2, recovered to lead 6-5 and then lost the next two points.

She could have decided to fight another day on several occasions but instead never stopped that day.

"It strengthened my mindset for the rest of the season," she said.

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Ruthsatz qualified to the state tournament with sophomore Gracie Arnold at doubles. Arnold is 11-2, including unbeaten in seven matches in the SBC.

"She's the best No. 2 in the conference," Miller said. "She'll be No. 1 seed for the conference tournament."

Port Clinton hadn't been to the state tourney since 2010.

"We want to go to state together again," Ruthsatz said. "Last year at district, we were the fourth seed. We want to prove we're better than last year and our work shows. Last year was the first year with her. We push each other.

"We've got close outside tennis, it helps the bond in tennis."

Ruthsatz played third singles as a sophomore and second doubles as a freshman. She wants to continue her career if college options arise.

"I've become more confident in my shots," she said. "Last year I stayed in and waited for a mistake. This year, I'm more confident and aggressive being able to go hit my shot, get a point, placing it."

Sophomore Anastasia Hughes plays at third singles. Junior Olivia Spencer and sophomore Megan Zgodzinski are the first doubles pair.

"Megan picked up a racket for the first time this summer," Miller said. "She's a great athlete. We're excited about the future."

Senior Christen Sayre and freshman Lilly Hatt play at second doubles.

"She earned her way into the lineup," Miller said of Hatt. "St. Mary was her first varsity match. She's 2-0. It's exciting for the future."

Ruthsatz never thinks about herself first when it comes to Port Clinton tennis.

"When I joined, I was a manager in middle school, I loved the environment," she said. "Everyone was so welcoming. I was excited as a freshman, they wanted to be there with good spirits. We all care about the team, and we want ourselves to excel.

"We push each other, which I appreciate. They're always there, win or lose. Last year was my first as a captain. We have a bunch of new kids on the team. Inexperienced. I'm there to support them. 'It takes practice and don't get upset.'

"That mentoring with them helps me to remember the same things for me to do as I'm teaching them."

mhorn@gannett.com

419-307-4892

X: @MatthewHornNH

This article originally appeared on Fremont News-Messenger: Port Clinton's Gracie Arnold among those inspired by Reagan Ruthsatz