Providence Catholic Girls Tennis Team Has High Hopes for State

The Providence Catholics varsity girls tennis first doubles’ team of Maggie and Kelly Ruane are focused on taking the next step at the Illinois State Tournament this year. 

The twins, who came from Atlanta, where they played singles on the USTA tournament circuit, started on Providence’s varsity tennis team beginning in 2010, their freshman year. Last year, they split time between singles and doubles, Maggie Ruane compiled a record of 34-9 and Kelly Ruane finished at 31-11. 

Their biggest win came at sectionals winning the title by defeating a strong Lockport team in a close match that went three sets. They have primarily played doubles this year compiling a record of 20-5, won the Joliet Catholic Invitational and finished third at the Lincoln Way North Invitational behind St. Ignatius and Stagg, who they lost to in a semifinal tie-breaker 10-7 after splitting sets. A good performance at sectionals will earn a third consecutive trip to the State Tournament.

This season, their biggest win came against East Suburban Catholic Conference rival Fenwick at the Lincoln Way North Invitational, beating the number one seeded Friars in the tie-breaker, 10-6. With the conference playoffs beginning Oct. 5, the twin duo has a good deal more doubles experience to draw upon, improving their net play, which is where so many points are won and lost in doubles tennis.

At sectionals this year, they will get the second seed, having lost to an improved Lockport team during the regular season. They made it to the second round of the State Tournament last year and hope to go farther this year.

Second Doubles

Senior Jamie Noonan earned a trip to the State Tournament last year with second doubles partner Julia Patzin, who is now playing tennis for Carroll College.  This year Noonan is paired with another great athlete, Marybeth Galick, and they hope to repeat the success in sectionals and earn a spot at the State Tournament.

Singles

The Celtics added a talented freshman, Hannah Davis, to the roster this year.  She has split her time between singles and doubles, but hopes to earn a trip to State at singles with a good performance at sectionals.  

Seniors' Night

The final home match of the season was Thursday (Sept. 27), which was also senior night. Providence has four seniors on the squad including Jamie Noonan, who is hoping to make her second trip to State with new second doubles partner Marybeth Galick; Maeve Pell, Marissa Wilko and Mary Claire Burchett.

Story contributed by Providence Catholic High School Girls Tennis Coach Ben Thompson

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