The Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé tennis team will be competing at the 2024 ASAA Alaska Tennis State Championships beginning Thursday at the Alaska Club East in Anchorage. The tournament runs through Saturday.
“We have a very close-knit group,” JDHS coach Austin Stefanich said. “As a previously combined sport, you honestly wouldn’t be able to tell which kids went to which school. Everyone enjoys being around each other and coming together to get better. This group has really put in the effort day in and day out to improve and it has been an honor to coach them.”
Seniors Milina Mazon and Alexander Rehfeldt will be competing in the mixed doubles and are seeded number one in the state.
According to Stefanich, the two are both four-year players, and together “bring a lot of match experience, great shot selection and team chemistry.”
Mazon returns to the state tournament mixed doubles having placed second last year with Chelsea Ligsay in girls doubles.
Junior Elliot Welch will compete in boys singles and is seeded number two.
Welch finished third in state last year in boys doubles with Brendan West and fifth in boys singles in 2022.
“Welch is known for having a well-rounded singles game,” Stefanich said. “He is a fierce competitor, with the confidence and ability to mix up his shots to defeat his opponents.”
Junior Isabella Reyes-Boyer and sophomore Aurora Madsen are competing in girls doubles.
They are both second-year players who have put a lot of time in during the off-season. This is Madsen’s first trip to state and Reyes-Boyer’s second time as she played girls singles last year.
“Reyes-Boyer brings an aggressive net game while Madsen has developed consistent groundstrokes,” Stefanich said. “Together their combined skills complement one another to make a skilled and competitive team.”
Seniors Kajson Cunningham and Taliesin Paul are competing in boys doubles.
Paul is a four-year player and this is Cunningham’s first year with the team.
“Both are making their first appearance to the state tournament,” Stefanich said. “Paul brings a lot of doubles knowledge with an all-around game. Cunningham, who only recently took up tennis, has demonstrated his ability to quickly learn. They are known for their aggressive net game.”
Sophomore Riley Dale is competing in girls singles.
She is a second-year player and this is her first time to the state tournament.
Said Stefanich, “Dale is a super-competitive player who put in countless hours in the off-season. She enjoys a baseline game and is always looking to problem solve on the court.”
Assisting coach Stefanich are Anne Kincheloe and Mona Mametsuka. Teammates of the state traveling team include Maya Breedlove, Madeline Gibson, Lydia Heidemann, Hazel McWilliams, Maggie Fairchild, Daniela Lamas, Shakti Tellez-Perez, Skylar Hayes, Dan Degener, Jaime Snedden, Katharine Hieb, Paige Kirsch, Isaac Hill, Hayden Soboleff, Riley Soboleff and Ainsley Mallott.
• Contact Klas Stolpe at klas.stolpe@juneauempire.com.
