Vandalia sophomore Hannah Blythe is school’s first state qualifier in tennis singles since 1987

EFFINGHAM – Hannah Blythe didn’t have too much to say about her recent tennis accomplishment.

And that’s OK, because – like always – she’ll just let her play do the talking.

For the first time since 1987, Vandalia will represented in singles at the state tennis tournament after sophomore Hannah Blythe placed second at the Effingham Sectional on Saturday to earn a trip to the Chicago suburbs.

“I didn’t even think I’d make it past the first (sectional) match,” Blythe said. “I didn’t think I was going to go to state, let alone be second at sectionals.”

Cindy Harrison was the last singles player from Vandalia to qualify for state, advancing 26 years ago with a fourth-place finish at sectionals.

Blythe (19-3) will play Hannah Seaton, a junior from Mt. Carmel, in the first round.

In doing so, Blythe will look to do what Harrison couldn’t – win a match at state.

Coach Dana Kern said that as long as Blythe can play like she did on Saturday, she can have a successful trip to Chicagoland.

“It was very unexpected for me as a first-year coach,” Kern said. “I couldn’t be more proud of Hannah for the way she performed at sectionals.

“I knew that she was a great player, but she’s also young, so I wasn’t sure what to expect with those tough players in that sectional.”

Kern was there the last time anyone from Vandalia made state, teaming with Josie Earnest to qualify in doubles in 2005.

And though that was eight years ago, Kern believes her experience will be beneficial to Blythe, who will be one of the youngest qualifiers in the field.

“As far as what I can bring to table for her is to tell her what to expect and how the brackets work,” Kern said. “Hopefully, I can ease some of her nervousness from my experience.”

Blythe – the tournament’s No. 4 seed – rallied from behind to win her opening match of the single-elimination tournament last Friday, and then bested another player to earn her spot at state.

She was the No. 4 seed, but defeated the No. 1 seed – Olney junior Jaclyn Shan – in the semifinals, avenging one of her two losses during the regular season.

Unlike the Centralia Tournament on Sept. 28, when Shan beat Blythe in two sets, Blythe dominated on Saturday, securing a 6-1, 6-1 win and a spot in the championship match.

“Last time, it was my third match of the day and I was exhausted,” Blythe said. “This time, I played amazing, and I don’t think she was as ‘on,’ but she didn’t do much different.

“The last time, I was just too tired.”

Blythe was the aggressor throughout the match, but still had to come from behind on several points during the match to get the win.

She trailed 15-30 on seven points during the match – including the first five of the second set – and Kern said her ability to rebound was a key to her victory.

“When we saw that girl the first time – and she is a great player, let’s not take that away – that was Hannah’s third match of the day, and I think she was tired,” Kern said. “On Saturday, she was prepared, not only physically but mentally.

“She was waiting for that match, and wanted to play her again,” she said. “And then she was sharp and had the best match of her season, and that shows her growth throughout the season.”

The defining point came when Blythe was serving with a 4-1 lead in the second set.

After Shan tied the point at 40-40, Blythe chased down numerous attacks before lofting a soft liner past Shan to take the advantage on a deuce serve.

That point didn’t secure the win – as it took three more serves – but it was a deflating loss for Shan, who then lost the match-point, 30-40.

In the championship match, however, Blythe struggled to maintain good composure after Teutopolis senior Holley Wright frustrated her with well-placed attacks and called several close calls in her own favor.

Blythe was a 1-6, 4-6 loser in the match.

Blythe lost control of the first set on the fifth point, getting frustrated on the first two points after having been outlasted on six deuce points on the point before.

She looked to make a comeback in the second set, falling behind 3-0 before securing the next three points, but Wright retook the lead on the next point and didn’t relinquish it.

“All things said, she ran out of gas a little bit,” Kern said. “She’ll have to save all of her extra energy, because hopefully she’ll be playing multiple matches on Thursday and Friday.”

Also playing at the sectional, but losing their first match, were: Kristyn Nichols in singles, and doubles teams of Karlee Brimberry/Kendall Leander and Megan Dothager/Emma Meyer.