Homestead claims team tennis title
MADISON - Though it seemed like most of the crowd watching understood the significance of Anna Head’s match from the start, the Homestead freshman didn’t catch on until late.
The state of the Highlanders’ streak of state championship would fall on what proved to be her very capable shoulders.
Head defeated Divine Savior Holy Angels junior Claire Vap, 4-6, 7-5, 6-3, in a match that lifted the Highlanders to the Division 1 title at WIAA team tennis tournament at Nielsen Tennis Stadium on Saturday and tested the physical and mental endurance of both players.
“I did not realize it was 31⁄2 hours,” Head said. “I really thought it was one or two. I think I’m fine, but I want to get dinner. I’m a little hungry. I’m a little exhausted but not really.”
We’ll assume of that her seemingly endless flow of energy came from helping Homestead not only win a third straight Division 1 state championship but also do so with an undefeated record for the third straight season.
Homestead’s performance highlighted a weekend of dominance by southeast Wisconsin at the event.
University School defeated Catholic Memorial, 5-2, to win its second straight Division 2 title. The finals appearance was Memorial’s first.
Homestead, on the other hand, knows the state tournament well. The team won its eighth title in 11 seasons and this year overcame the adversity that came with the loss to 2017 Journal Sentinel area player of the year Andie Weise, who opted to attend a tennis academy in Florida.
The bottom line didn’t change, though. The Highlanders finished 25-0.
University School’s title may have lacked the drama of Homestead’s, but it too capped a meaningful year.
A year ago, the team was anchored by the play at the top of the lineup by senior Veda Sane and graduated senior Riley Straus. The makeup of the team this year was different.
“This year we had to win some different positions,” Wildcats coach Matt Flack said. “For example in the final Veda had a tough, three-setter she won, but (No.) 3 doubles, (No.) 2 doubles, they’re really the heart of the team. I know when I put them out there, they’re going to accomplish great things.”