5 high school girls tennis players to watch this fall

Chen played No. 1 singles for the Class 2 team champion Rams, who were one of the most dominant teams in state history. They defeated Fort Zumwalt South in the final without losing a single court. Chen also won the Class 2 singles individual championship, losing just five games in her four matches.

Kylee Del Vecchio, senior, Belleville East

This will be Del Vecchio’s third year as the No. 1 player for the Lancers. She is a two-time first-team all-Southwestern Conference selection and finished second to Chloe Koons of Edwardsville in the sectional tournament. Del Vecchio, who was rookie of the year in the conference as a freshman, is a two-time state qualifier in singles.

Sahana Madala, senior, John Burroughs

Madala, the No. 1 singles player for the Bombers, is on the hunt for an elusive state singles championship. Madala has been one of the best players in the state the last two years, including a runner-up Class 3 singles finish last season after winning the consolation singles title as a sophomore.

Mikaela Mikulec, senior, MICDS

Mikulec plays No. 1 singles for the Rams but has shined at state in doubles. A regular season highlight last year for the southpaw was an exciting win over Sahana Madala of John Burroughs in the Metro League Tournament at No. 1 singles. Mikulec and Rachel Li won the Class 3 doubles consolation title in 2021 and finished second last year.

Aanya Singh, junior Clayton

Singh played No. 1 singles for the Greyhounds, who advanced to the Class 1 team championship before falling to Kennett 5-3 in the title match. Singh won the Class 1 individual singles championship, coming back from a tough three-set match in the quarterfinals. She saved her best for the final and defeated Emma Kinder of Ursuline, 6-1, 6-2.