PEORIA, Ill. — It hasn’t been done in 35 years.
Richwoods High School’s Julia Wojtowicz and Olivia Reynolds competed last weekend at the IHSA Girls’ Tennis Tournament, taking 3rd place.
The pair was teamed up just a week before Sectionals. But, since then, Wojtowicz says they’ve definitely bonded.
“I think Doubles definitely does help with the nerves situation, because Olivia and I can joke on the court all the time,” Julia says.
They’re the first local Girls’ doubles team to make it to the IHSA Final Four in 35 years.
So, were they nervous going up against Illinois’ power players?
“There are certainly some heavy hitters you’re aware of, but usually, especially the Chicago players, you’re not quite sure because you don’t see them all the time during the season. So, you have to really just feel it out on the court,” Reynolds says.
Richwoods Girls Tennis Coach Terry Cole tells WMBD’s “The Greg and Dan Show”, Julia and Olivia are only the third Doubles team from Peoria to ever make it to the IHSA’s Final Four.
Cole says both girls had multiple wins over Illinois’ Top 16 Singles winners last year, and it took a lot of convincing to get them to give up Singles play for Doubles at this year’s IHSA Tournament.
Olivia Reynolds was also Runner-up for the Tom Pitchford Sportsmanship Award at the IHSA Tournament last weekend.
