Alton’s Hannah Macias and Marquette Catholic’s Maria Wendle ended their prep tennis careers with a big trip.
The seniors competed at the IHSA state tournament in suburban Chicago. Macias and Wendle were the only Riverbend players at the event.
“State was awesome, especially since me and Maria got to go,” Macias said. “We met up there and we got to hang out, and that was fun.”
A day before the state tournament began on Oct. 18, Wendle and Macias had dinner with their coaches and family members at Weber Grill Restaurant in Schaumburg.
“It was awesome,” Wendle said.
Both players also turned in outstanding seasons this fall. Macias, Alton’s No. 1 singles player, finished 30-18 and helped the Redbirds finish 13-4-1 in dual action. Wendle also played No. 1 singles at Marquette and went 15-5.
Macias and Wendle each finished with a 1-2 record at state. Macias defeated Huntley’s Ruhi Gulati and lost to Benet Academy’s Danielle Nenadovich and Downers Grove South’s Gerda Jucys in Class AA. Wendle beat Morgan Park Academy’s Ayanna King and fell to Quincy Notre Dame’s Clair Moore and Herrin’s Reagan Ridgway in Class A.
Macias was the first Alton player since Janelle Wilson in ‘14 to compete at state.
“Getting a win was awesome,” Macias said. “It’s always great to go up there and go to Chicago and have a good experience. Just to win a match is really cool.”
Wendle was the seventh Marquette player in nine years to play in suburban Chicago.
“It was so much fun,” Wendle said. “I’ve never been to state before, so it’s the best way to end my senior year.”
Macias and Wendle played each other twice and Macias won both times, including a come-from-behind, three-set victory in a first-round match of the Robert Logan Invitational Tournament.
“We had some really good volleys that went back and forth,” Wendle said of Macias. “It was really fun playing against her because I felt like I was learning something from her whenever I played with her.”
Macias placed fourth in the Belleville East Sectional to earn her first trip to state. She clinched a state berth by beating Springfield’s Maya Hoffman in the quarterfinals at Kings Point. She was then congratulated by her teammates.
“My team has always been supportive,” Macias said. “It meant a lot to me and a lot to them to go to state. When I finally made it, it’s just awesome. The whole team was super excited for me.”
Wendle finished second in the Triad Sectional. She beat Jersey’s Holli Roberts in the quarterfinals to clinch her first state berth.
Macias joined the AHS girls tennis program in her freshman year. She earned all-Southwestern Conference honors all four years.
“I’m definitely going to miss playing high school tennis,” Macias said. “My dad (head coach Jesse Macias) is the most upset. He’s been coaching me for so long.”
Wendle competed at Marquette all four years. Her sister, Jane, played at AHS and her brother, Peter, was a member of the Marquette boys squad.
“I decided to go with the family tradition in playing tennis because it’s always super fun,” Wendle said. “I never thought it would bring me to where I am today.”
Alton's Macias earns change for a quarter, advances to state - The Telegraph - 10/15/2018
Updated on 06/10/2022
Alton’s Macias earns change for a quarter, advances to state
Tigers advance three entries from 2A sectional
Greg Shashack, gshashack@thetelegraph.com
Published
Photo:
Greg Shashack | The Telegraph
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Alton’s Hannah Macias returns a shot during her third-place singles match Saturday at the Belleville East Class 2A Sectional in Belleville. Macias finished fourth to become the Redbirds’ first state
Two defeats in two prep girls tennis matches Saturday could not rob the smile from Hannah Macias.
The glow from Friday’s state qualifying victories would not be dulled so easily for the Alton Redbirds senior.
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“I was just so excited about yesterday that it was hard to get back into focus,” Macias said. “I was still so like, ‘I made it.’”
Macias finished fourth in the singles draw of the Belleville East Class 2A Sectional to become Alton’s first state qualifier since the IHSA expanded to two classes for tennis in 2016.
Joining Macias from the East Sectional in the Class 2A state tournament Thursday at various sites in suburban Chicago will be three entries from Edwardsville, two from Belleville East and one each from Belleville West and O’Fallon.
Macias lost a semifinal to East’s JoJo Skaer 6-2, 6-2 and a third-place match to Edwardsville’s Chloe Trimpe 6-2, 4-6, 6-1, but embraced fourth place and the state ticket that comes with it.
“I’m really happy with the way I played,” Macias said. “I come out here, it’s my senior year and my last time seeing these people, so you’ve got to give it all you’ve got one last time. … I’m thrilled just to be here. All these players are just so awesome. It’s great to be here and I’m proud to be a part of it.”
Belleville East repeated as sectional champion, led by the 1-2 singles finish from Chloe McIsaac and Skaer. The Lancers scored 26 points to edge Edwardsville (24) for the second successive season after halting the Tigers’ run of 20 consecutive sectional championships in 2017.
West (14), O’Fallon (14), Alton (12), Springfield (8), Collinsville (4), Quincy (0) and Granite City (0) completed the nine-team field assigned to the courts at East.
Trimpe, a sophomore, will make her first state trip with the Tigers after taking third in singles. Edwardsville seniors Natalie Karibian and Abby Cimarolli teamed up to win the sectional doubles title, defeating West juniors Kaitlyn and Taylor Fiedler 6-3, 6-0 in the title match.
Karibian, a sectional singles champion as a sophomore, will be making her fourth state trip, while Cimarolli is state-bound for the third straight season. The Tigers also send their second doubles team with senior Annie McGinnis and freshman Hannah Colbert placing third. It will be the first state appearance for both.
The top four sectional placers in both singles and doubles qualify for the three-day state tournament. That format casts quarterfinals as the make-or-break match in both brackets and Macias saw her season go break in quarters in each of the last two seasons.
Macias cleared the barrier Friday when play was moved to indoor facilities with rain in Belleville. She defeated Quincy’s Isabella Trinh 6-0, 6-1 in the first round and won the money match by beating Springfield’s Maya Hoffman 6-2, 6-2 in the quarters.
“There’s a lot of emotion that goes into it,” Alton coach and Hannah’s father Jesse Macias said. “Hannah really kept her emotions in check, came in with a good plan and executed it. It was a good day (Friday).”
Getting to state was better than good for Hannah Macias after playing doubles last year and losing a three-set sectional quarterfinal.
“It was amazing,” Macias said of Friday’s victories. “It’s been my goal to go state for so long. Last year, we were so close. This feels great. It may be the highlight of my whole high school career.”
Alton High's girls tennis team gets two wins Thursday - Riverbender.com - 9/28/2018
ALTON - Alton High’s girls' tennis team picked up a non-conference win and conference win on Thursday.
Alton crushed Granite City 11-0 and East St. Louis 9-0 to move to 12-3-1 overall and 2-3 in conference. At Alton High, Hannah Macias, Maddie Saenz, Cali Giertz, Mackenzie Giertz, and Anna Sonmerhoff were double winners for the Redbirds. Alton also got doubles wins from Lexi Mayfield and Molly Gross, Katie Manns and Josie Sands, Val and Nina Walters, plus Sommerhoff and Anna Kane. At Rock Springs, Ainsley Fortschneider, Paige Rockholm, Angelina Taul, Anna Bellm, Bella Kane, and Lydia Criveau were all double winners against the Flyers. The Redbirds play Belleville West on Wednesday at Alton High.
Earlier in the week, Alton lost to O’Fallon 8-1, Ainsley Fortschneider got the lone win at No. 6 singles for Alton. Alton is 10-3-1 overall and 1-3 in the conference.
Alton’s Hannah Macias returns a shot during her No. 1 singles semifinal on Saturday at Alton’s Robert Logan Invitational girls tennis tournament at LCCC’s Andy Simpson Tennis Complex in Godfrey. Macias
GODFREY – Robert Logan would have been in his element Saturday, no matter which of the four venues he chose for a tournament that now honors his memory.
Effingham St. Anthony and Triad tied for the championship in a contested five-team battle for the top spot Saturday in Alton’s Robert Logan Invitational girls tennis tourney played at LCCC’s Andy Simpson Tennis Complex and Alton High in Godfrey and Moore Park’s Bud Simpson Tennis Center and Rock Springs Park in Alton.
Logan, who succumbed in his fight with cancer at age 30 on Sept. 18, 2016, was a prep tennis and golf standout at Marquette Catholic before becoming coach for Alton Redbirds tennis.
The Bulldogs and Knights both scored 36 points, with Alton two points back at 34, Highland three points back at 33 and Jersey five off the pace at 30 in a field also including Collinsville (26), Marquette (20), Civic Memorial (18), Springfield (eight) and Granite City (four).
“More than anything, I’m glad that we got to celebrate Robert Logan today,” said Alton coach Jesse Macias, a mentor and friend to Logan. “Most of the coaches here knew Robert well and they have great memories of him. Everyone misses him and this tournament allows us to remember what a special person he was. Robert had such a positive impact on tennis in the area and I personally appreciate all the time he dedicated to the players and programs at Alton High.
“He would be proud of how our girls play the game. Robert had a lot of family out today too, so it was nice to share the day with them as we keep Robert’s memory alive.”
St. Anthony swept the doubles draws and also won at No. 1 singles. Triad won at No. 3 singles and was second at No. 2 singles and No. 3 doubles. Alton stacked its top players in in the top two singles flights and got a championship from Maddie Saenz at No. 2 and a runner-up from Hannah Macias at No. 2.
The Redbirds added top-four finishes from Lexi Mayfield in fourth at No. 4 singles, while Alton doubles entries turned in a third-place effort from Angelina Taul and Paige Rockholm at No. 3 and fourth place from Val Walters and Molly Gross at No. 2.
“We added two new teams in St. Anthony and Springfield this year, so I think it made the field a lot more competitive,” Macias said. “We were only two points out of sharing the championship, so I am proud of our team’s effort. We won some close matches and lost some close ones too, but our girls never stopped fighting. Maddie is having a fantastic season and got a lot of team points today with her championship. And Hannah had a great run at No. 1. We needed everyone to play well and I think they all did.”
Jersey posted runner-up finishes from Lily Ingram at No. 3 singles and Morgan Davis and Michelle Maag at No. 2 doubles, while the Panthers’ Sabrina Ingram took third at No. 4 singles.
Logan Invite helps ‘keep Robert’s memory alive’
Greg Shashack, gshashack@thetelegraph.com
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Greg Shashack / The Telegraph
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Alton’s Hannah Macias returns a shot during her No. 1 singles semifinal on Saturday at Alton’s Robert Logan Invitational girls tennis tournament at LCCC’s Andy Simpson Tennis Complex in Godfrey. Macias
GODFREY – Robert Logan would have been in his element Saturday, no matter which of the four venues he chose for a tournament that now honors his memory.
Effingham St. Anthony and Triad tied for the championship in a contested five-team battle for the top spot Saturday in Alton’s Robert Logan Invitational girls tennis tourney played at LCCC’s Andy Simpson Tennis Complex and Alton High in Godfrey and Moore Park’s Bud Simpson Tennis Center and Rock Springs Park in Alton.
Logan, who succumbed in his fight with cancer at age 30 on Sept. 18, 2016, was a prep tennis and golf standout at Marquette Catholic before becoming coach for Alton Redbirds tennis.
The Bulldogs and Knights both scored 36 points, with Alton two points back at 34, Highland three points back at 33 and Jersey five off the pace at 30 in a field also including Collinsville (26), Marquette (20), Civic Memorial (18), Springfield (eight) and Granite City (four).
“More than anything, I’m glad that we got to celebrate Robert Logan today,” said Alton coach Jesse Macias, a mentor and friend to Logan. “Most of the coaches here knew Robert well and they have great memories of him. Everyone misses him and this tournament allows us to remember what a special person he was. Robert had such a positive impact on tennis in the area and I personally appreciate all the time he dedicated to the players and programs at Alton High.
“He would be proud of how our girls play the game. Robert had a lot of family out today too, so it was nice to share the day with them as we keep Robert’s memory alive.”
St. Anthony swept the doubles draws and also won at No. 1 singles. Triad won at No. 3 singles and was second at No. 2 singles and No. 3 doubles. Alton stacked its top players in in the top two singles flights and got a championship from Maddie Saenz at No. 2 and a runner-up from Hannah Macias at No. 2.
The Redbirds added top-four finishes from Lexi Mayfield in fourth at No. 4 singles, while Alton doubles entries turned in a third-place effort from Angelina Taul and Paige Rockholm at No. 3 and fourth place from Val Walters and Molly Gross at No. 2.
“We added two new teams in St. Anthony and Springfield this year, so I think it made the field a lot more competitive,” Macias said. “We were only two points out of sharing the championship, so I am proud of our team’s effort. We won some close matches and lost some close ones too, but our girls never stopped fighting. Maddie is having a fantastic season and got a lot of team points today with her championship. And Hannah had a great run at No. 1. We needed everyone to play well and I think they all did.”
Jersey posted runner-up finishes from Lily Ingram at No. 3 singles and Morgan Davis and Michelle Maag at No. 2 doubles, while the Panthers’ Sabrina Ingram took third at No. 4 singles.
Logan Invite helps ‘keep Robert’s memory alive’
Greg Shashack, gshashack@thetelegraph.com
Published
Photo:
Greg Shashack / The Telegraph
IMAGE 1 OF 7
Alton’s Hannah Macias returns a shot during her No. 1 singles semifinal on Saturday at Alton’s Robert Logan Invitational girls tennis tournament at LCCC’s Andy Simpson Tennis Complex in Godfrey. Macias
GODFREY – Robert Logan would have been in his element Saturday, no matter which of the four venues he chose for a tournament that now honors his memory.
Effingham St. Anthony and Triad tied for the championship in a contested five-team battle for the top spot Saturday in Alton’s Robert Logan Invitational girls tennis tourney played at LCCC’s Andy Simpson Tennis Complex and Alton High in Godfrey and Moore Park’s Bud Simpson Tennis Center and Rock Springs Park in Alton.
Logan, who succumbed in his fight with cancer at age 30 on Sept. 18, 2016, was a prep tennis and golf standout at Marquette Catholic before becoming coach for Alton Redbirds tennis.
The Bulldogs and Knights both scored 36 points, with Alton two points back at 34, Highland three points back at 33 and Jersey five off the pace at 30 in a field also including Collinsville (26), Marquette (20), Civic Memorial (18), Springfield (eight) and Granite City (four).
“More than anything, I’m glad that we got to celebrate Robert Logan today,” said Alton coach Jesse Macias, a mentor and friend to Logan. “Most of the coaches here knew Robert well and they have great memories of him. Everyone misses him and this tournament allows us to remember what a special person he was. Robert had such a positive impact on tennis in the area and I personally appreciate all the time he dedicated to the players and programs at Alton High.
“He would be proud of how our girls play the game. Robert had a lot of family out today too, so it was nice to share the day with them as we keep Robert’s memory alive.”
St. Anthony swept the doubles draws and also won at No. 1 singles. Triad won at No. 3 singles and was second at No. 2 singles and No. 3 doubles. Alton stacked its top players in in the top two singles flights and got a championship from Maddie Saenz at No. 2 and a runner-up from Hannah Macias at No. 2.
The Redbirds added top-four finishes from Lexi Mayfield in fourth at No. 4 singles, while Alton doubles entries turned in a third-place effort from Angelina Taul and Paige Rockholm at No. 3 and fourth place from Val Walters and Molly Gross at No. 2.
“We added two new teams in St. Anthony and Springfield this year, so I think it made the field a lot more competitive,” Macias said. “We were only two points out of sharing the championship, so I am proud of our team’s effort. We won some close matches and lost some close ones too, but our girls never stopped fighting. Maddie is having a fantastic season and got a lot of team points today with her championship. And Hannah had a great run at No. 1. We needed everyone to play well and I think they all did.”
Jersey posted runner-up finishes from Lily Ingram at No. 3 singles and Morgan Davis and Michelle Maag at No. 2 doubles, while the Panthers’ Sabrina Ingram took third at No. 4 singles.
Alton and Jersey battle in competitive dual girls tennis match - Riverbender.com - 8/29/2018
Alton and Jersey battled in a competitive girls tennis match throughout the singles and doubles ranks on Tuesday, but the Redbirds prevailed in the final team score 7-0 at Jersey Community High School tennis courts.
A summary of the match:
ALTON HIGH SCHOOL 7, JERSEY COMM HIGH SCHOOL 0
Singles
No. 1 — Nikki Lowe, ALTON HIGH SCHOOL, def . Libby Roth, JERSEY COMM HIGH SCHOOL, 6-0, 6-1; No. 3 — Mackenzie Giertz, ALTON HIGH SCHOOL, def . Aubrey McCormick, JERSEY COMM HIGH SCHOOL, 6-4, 6-2; No. 3 — Cali Giertz, ALTON HIGH SCHOOL, def . Holli Roberts, JERSEY COMM HIGH SCHOOL, 6-3; No. 4 — Lexi Mayfield, ALTON HIGH SCHOOL, def . Morgan Davis, JERSEY COMM HIGH SCHOOL, 6-2, 6-2;
Doubles
No. 1 — Hannah Macias-Maddie Sanez, ALTON HIGH SCHOOL, def. Hannah Hudson-Chelsea Maag, JERSEY COMM HIGH SCHOOL 6-4, 7-5; No. 2 — Molly Gross-Val Walters, ALTON HIGH SCHOOL, def. Michelle Maag-Maura Eads, JERSEY COMM HIGH SCHOOL 6-3, 7-5; No. 3 — Paige Rockholm-Angelina Taul, ALTON HIGH SCHOOL, def. Lily Ingram-Sabrina Ingram, JERSEY COMM HIGH SCHOOL 7-5, 6-2;
Alton and Jersey battled in a competitive girls tennis match throughout the singles and doubles ranks on Tuesday, but the Redbirds prevailed in the final team score 7-0 at Jersey Community High School tennis courts.
A summary of the match:
ALTON HIGH SCHOOL 7, JERSEY COMM HIGH SCHOOL 0
Singles
No. 1 — Nikki Lowe, ALTON HIGH SCHOOL, def . Libby Roth, JERSEY COMM HIGH SCHOOL, 6-0, 6-1; No. 3 — Mackenzie Giertz, ALTON HIGH SCHOOL, def . Aubrey McCormick, JERSEY COMM HIGH SCHOOL, 6-4, 6-2; No. 3 — Cali Giertz, ALTON HIGH SCHOOL, def . Holli Roberts, JERSEY COMM HIGH SCHOOL, 6-3; No. 4 — Lexi Mayfield, ALTON HIGH SCHOOL, def . Morgan Davis, JERSEY COMM HIGH SCHOOL, 6-2, 6-2;
Doubles
No. 1 — Hannah Macias-Maddie Sanez, ALTON HIGH SCHOOL, def. Hannah Hudson-Chelsea Maag, JERSEY COMM HIGH SCHOOL 6-4, 7-5; No. 2 — Molly Gross-Val Walters, ALTON HIGH SCHOOL, def. Michelle Maag-Maura Eads, JERSEY COMM HIGH SCHOOL 6-3, 7-5; No. 3 — Paige Rockholm-Angelina Taul, ALTON HIGH SCHOOL, def. Lily Ingram-Sabrina Ingram, JERSEY COMM HIGH SCHOOL 7-5, 6-2;
Alton and Jersey battled in a competitive girls tennis match throughout the singles and doubles ranks on Tuesday, but the Redbirds prevailed in the final team score 7-0 at Jersey Community High School tennis courts.
A summary of the match:
ALTON HIGH SCHOOL 7, JERSEY COMM HIGH SCHOOL 0
Singles
No. 1 — Nikki Lowe, ALTON HIGH SCHOOL, def . Libby Roth, JERSEY COMM HIGH SCHOOL, 6-0, 6-1; No. 3 — Mackenzie Giertz, ALTON HIGH SCHOOL, def . Aubrey McCormick, JERSEY COMM HIGH SCHOOL, 6-4, 6-2; No. 3 — Cali Giertz, ALTON HIGH SCHOOL, def . Holli Roberts, JERSEY COMM HIGH SCHOOL, 6-3; No. 4 — Lexi Mayfield, ALTON HIGH SCHOOL, def . Morgan Davis, JERSEY COMM HIGH SCHOOL, 6-2, 6-2;
Doubles
No. 1 — Hannah Macias-Maddie Sanez, ALTON HIGH SCHOOL, def. Hannah Hudson-Chelsea Maag, JERSEY COMM HIGH SCHOOL 6-4, 7-5; No. 2 — Molly Gross-Val Walters, ALTON HIGH SCHOOL, def. Michelle Maag-Maura Eads, JERSEY COMM HIGH SCHOOL 6-3, 7-5; No. 3 — Paige Rockholm-Angelina Taul, ALTON HIGH SCHOOL, def. Lily Ingram-Sabrina Ingram, JERSEY COMM HIGH SCHOOL 7-5, 6-2;
Alton and Jersey battled in a competitive girls tennis match throughout the singles and doubles ranks on Tuesday, but the Redbirds prevailed in the final team score 7-0 at Jersey Community High School tennis courts.
A summary of the match:
ALTON HIGH SCHOOL 7, JERSEY COMM HIGH SCHOOL 0
Singles
No. 1 — Nikki Lowe, ALTON HIGH SCHOOL, def . Libby Roth, JERSEY COMM HIGH SCHOOL, 6-0, 6-1; No. 3 — Mackenzie Giertz, ALTON HIGH SCHOOL, def . Aubrey McCormick, JERSEY COMM HIGH SCHOOL, 6-4, 6-2; No. 3 — Cali Giertz, ALTON HIGH SCHOOL, def . Holli Roberts, JERSEY COMM HIGH SCHOOL, 6-3; No. 4 — Lexi Mayfield, ALTON HIGH SCHOOL, def . Morgan Davis, JERSEY COMM HIGH SCHOOL, 6-2, 6-2;
Doubles
No. 1 — Hannah Macias-Maddie Sanez, ALTON HIGH SCHOOL, def. Hannah Hudson-Chelsea Maag, JERSEY COMM HIGH SCHOOL 6-4, 7-5; No. 2 — Molly Gross-Val Walters, ALTON HIGH SCHOOL, def. Michelle Maag-Maura Eads, JERSEY COMM HIGH SCHOOL 6-3, 7-5; No. 3 — Paige Rockholm-Angelina Taul, ALTON HIGH SCHOOL, def. Lily Ingram-Sabrina Ingram, JERSEY COMM HIGH SCHOOL 7-5, 6-2;
