Ava Mathur established herself as the best in the area while she was a freshman.
Now a senior, his work speaks volumes in itself. A tireless worker, a passion for improvement, a drive that pushes her every day and a chip on her shoulder that has propelled her through matches and past opponents.
When the dust cleared this fall at Div. I declare a tennis tournament, it capped a career never seen in recent memory for the Wooster Generals or for the region.
Mathur completed a career record of 115-26 with a final campaign that saw her post a 29-7 record against some of the state’s top competition. She is a four-time OCC champion, a three-time state qualifier and, even bigger this fall, she was a natural leader and mentor to the young people around her.
One of the most impressive feats was not only her play on the court, but also the marked improvement in play around her by her teammates. His willingness to teach, his willingness to be there, offer them advice and coach them through the most brutal program in the region in preparation for the prize.
Ultimately, when Hailey Jung finished fourth at districts, it proved just how much it paid off as the team thrived down the stretch.
“Ava truly embodies what a coach looks for. Not only is she knowledgeable, but she’s dedicated, she works all year to get better, it’s contagious,” Wooster coach Cordell Smith said. “When other teammates see that, they see her leading the warm-up, how she carries herself, it rubs off on them. She never complains about anything, never happy with her game, she is a competitor through and through, a leader, a role model, she built relationships with her teammates, she was determined, whether she won or lost, she was always there with the team.
This perfect combination of drive, willingness to teach and achievement is why Mathur was selected as the Daily Record’s Women’s Tennis Player of the Year.
Finalist for Player of the Year
Hailey Jung, Wooster: Quiet, but constantly improving and showed a knack for being able to secure key wins last season. Just a sophomore, Jung developed her game and became the second best singles player in the area with strong serving, powerful net play, excellent decision-making on the court and finished with a record of 22-11.
Alyssa Rae-McIntosh, Wooster: Another sophomore on this talented Wooster roster, Rae-McIntosh developed as the season went on and really filled out the starting singles lineup. Playing against the toughest match list in the region, she will only continue to improve next year, is already among the best in the region in singles, finished 14-9 and was champion of the OCC in third singles.
Coach of the Year
Cordell Smith, Wooster: Having the best player in the area doesn’t always mean team success, but last season Smith translated that perfectly. Featuring a young lineup out of Mathur with two sophomores, Smith maintained the most brutal schedule in the area and it paid off as his two sophomores developed and evolved and that his doubles teams were among the best in the region.
Under his leadership, Smith’s Wooster team won its fifth straight Ohio Cardinal Conference title, beating powers like Lexington and Ashland, whose schedule could have been the difference. Believing that “iron sharpens iron,” he lived by challenging his players to improve, improve their game, and become more complete players. Ultimately, the team reaped the rewards of seeing two singles players advance to districts and its doubles team narrowly missing out on qualifying for districts.
First team (alphabetical order by last name)
Elizabeth France, Wooster (SO): A talented singles player, she played doubles last year, developed her game and thrived with Megan Wyneski
Stats: 12-6 in doubles, OCC Champions, finished in Elite 8 in sectionals
Abigail Sines, Chippewa (JU): Strong singles player and has established herself as one of the best on the NET
Stats: 20-3 overall record, second in NET, finished in Elite 8 at sections
Megan Wyneski, Wooster (SR): Calm leader, patient in attack, solid net play and teaming up with France was deadly
Stats: 12-6 in doubles, OCC Champions, finished in Elite 8 in sectionals
Honorable mention
Nadia Cascarelli (Wooster), Arora Chaney (West Holmes), Lily Fedorchak (Triway), Brionna Fuller (Wooster), Kara Jones (Central Christian), Clara Kirkhart (Chippewa), Brylie Rickley (West Holmes), Ella Wallace (Orrville) and Alaina Yeagley (Orrville)
This article was originally published on The Daily Record: 2024 Daily Record Women’s Tennis Team
