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On November 27, seniors Yasemin B. and Arya C. of the Columbus Academy varsity girls tennis team were honored at a special assembly in celebration of their Division II state doubles championship in October. Head of School Melissa Soderberg welcomed faculty and students from the entire Upper School before Director of Athletics Jason Singleton recognized the accomplishments of Arya and Yasemin, as well as the entire varsity girls tennis squad which placed second in the D2 state team tournament. Arya and Yasemin then led the way out of Schoedinger Theatre to the lawn outside of Academy Hall where they raised the state champion flag, amidst snow flurries, in front of friends and family.
On October 20 in Wooster, the Academy varsity girls tennis program added seniors Yasemin B. and Arya C. to its record books as state champions after the two teamed up to win the Division II state doubles title. The Central District’s top-ranked duo of Arya and Yasemin tallied a 7-6 (6) tiebreak win over Hathaway Brown’s Summer M. and Katie M. in the opening set of the finals, before dropping the second set 4-6 to even the match at one apiece. A 7-5 victory for the Vikings in the final set helped the pair capture the program’s first state crown since 2019 (Sydni Ratliff '21 in singles) and first girls doubles trophy since 2012 (Andrea Ballinger '15 and Hannah Wexner '14).
On their path to the state title, Arya and Yasemin defeated the doubles team from Port Clinton (6-0, 6-0) in the first round, Cincinnati Mariemont (7-5, 6-3) in the quarterfinals and Toledo Ottawa Hills (6-0, 6-3) in the semifinals. Both the semifinal and championship matches were played indoors at the Aspen Racquet Club due to inclement weather.
The following day, Arya and Yasemin helped the Vikings finish runner-up in the Division II Ohio Tennis Coaches Association (OTCA) state team tournament. Academy, led by first-year head coach Preston Eberlyn – who was named All-Central Buckeye League and All-Metro Coach of the Year – earned the spot following a 3-0 win in the district finals over Wellington. The Vikes advanced past Toledo Ottawa Hills in the state semifinals, thanks to wins from Tamanna A. (6-0, 6-0) and Yasemin (6-0, 6-1) in singles, and a doubles win for Arya and Gabrielle S. (6-2, 6-2). Cincinnati Indian Hill then defeated Academy with a pair of singles victories and a win in doubles to claim the state crown.
This result wrapped up a successful outing at the state level where not only the team as a whole finished strong, but five Vikings also competed at the OHSAA Division II individual state tournament with the doubles team of Arya and Yasemin taking home the championship trophy.