West Geauga freshman takes undefeated mark to state

Rylie Hanford began playing tennis at 6 years old. By the time she began her freshman year at West Geauga, she forged a reputation as one of the nation’s best players in the Class of 2022. A 5-star recruit in the freshman class, according to the Tennis Recruiting Network, experience at top-flight events is nothing new to Hanford.

Yet, Oct. 19 at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason, Hanford will add a unique accomplishment to her resume — in her first season of high school tennis, Hanford will become the first West Geauga player to compete at the state tournament.

“It’s definitely pretty awesome that I can be the first state qualifier,” Hanford said.

“My sister was one of the first in awhile to make it to districts so to say that is cool.”

Hanford earned her Division II state berth with a district championship at the Springside Racquet and Fitness Club in Akron Oct. 13. Hanford dropped only one set in four matches as she defeated Orange’s Blessing Nwaozuzu in the title match. She heads to Mason with an undefeated record.

Hanford is the youngest of four children. Her interest in tennis began in the family yard, where a tennis

court resides outside the family home. She grew up playing with her brother Jack and sisters, Sydney and Mackenzie. Sydney graduated from West Geauga in 2016 and plays club tennis at Ohio State. Mackenzie was a senior this season and played second singles behind her sister in coach Joe DiMattia’s lineup.

Rylie Hanford says her backhand is her strongest overall stroke. Offensively, she favors her forehand. Hanford likes tennis’ individual nature.

“It’s kind of like a challenge,” Hanford said. “To me, some sports are easier because you’re on a team and you have other people there to help you. It can be

stressful at times but other times it’s stress-free, you can go on the court and relax.”

A new element of team play’s added another dimension to Hanford’s appreciation for the sport. Hanford has traveled to California, Alabama, North Carolina, Florida and a host of states through competition in United States Tennis Association national events.

Few of those tournaments involved team play, which made Hanford’s freshman season with the Wolverines unique.

“It’s a lot of fun,” Hanford said. “I haven’t played on a team in a while. Playing on a team was different but it was definitely fun, worth the experience.”

Four other area tennis players qualified for the state tournament. Mayfield’s double team of Hannah Kassaie and Caitlyn Hsu won the D-I district title in Akron. Riverside’s Angelica Ross placed fourth in singles to earn a D-I state qualification. Hanford will be joined by Hawken’s Stephanie Shulman in the D-II singles bracket. Shulman defeated the D-II defending state singles champion, Hathaway Brown’s Nicole Gillinov, in three sets en route to a third-place finish.

First and second round matches begin at the Lindner Family Tennis Center Oct. 19. Semifinal, consolation and championship matches will be played Oct. 20.

Kassaie and Hsu open doubles play against Cincinnati Ursuline’s Nina Dhaliwai and Bridget Estes. Ross plays Oregon Clay’s Mady Arquette. Shulman matches up with Toledo Central Catholic’s Ellie Hire.

Hanford begins her first state tournament against Dayton Oakwood’s Lily McCloskey. She looks forward to playing in a new environment against unfamiliar opposition.

Said Hanford: “I don’t normally get to play with a lot of girls I’m going to get to play with because either, like, they’re older than me or they just don’t play the tournaments that I get to play. I feel like the atmosphere with everyone there from different schools is going to be just overall fun and exciting.”

“I feel like the atmosphere with everyone there from different schools is going to be just overall fun and exciting.” — Rylie Hanford, West Geauga tennis player

Hanford