CLEVELAND, Ohio — The OHSAA girls tennis season began Friday, and before action gets underway in cleveland.com’s seven-county coverage area of northeast Ohio, it’s time to recognize some outstanding singles players.
cleveland.com’s Preseason Tennis All-Stars feature players expected to be among the top players in Northeast Ohio this season.
Here’s a look at the team:
Professionals
Elena Fleming, Notre Dame Cathedral Latin, Senior
As a junior, Fleming went 27-6 at No. 1 singles. She won both the Crown Conference championship (for the third time) and the Solon sectional title. She qualified for the Division I state tournament and was named the 2023 USTA Diane McNeal Jr. Sportsmanship Award winner.
Dani Forte, Hawken, Junior
Last season, Forte finished with a singles record of 14-4, finished second (to McNeal) in the NE Ohio District and qualified for the state championship in DII. She returns as a two-time state champion, placed fourth in doubles and was named to the All-Ohio first team as a freshman.
Abigail Lynch, Gilmour Academy, second year student
After a strong first season, Lynch is looking to go one better in her sophomore season. As the Lancers’ bottom team, she posted an 18-4 record at No. 1 singles and secured a berth at the DII state championships.
Anna Mancino, Magnificat, Senior
Mancino qualified for the state championship twice (22 in doubles and 23 in singles) in Division I, finishing her junior season 23-11. As a sophomore, she placed fourth in doubles at the state championships and was selected to the All-Ohio first team.
Brooke McNeal, Kenston, Sr
McNeal went undefeated in the regular season as a junior and was selected to the All-Ohio second team in Division II. She finished with an individual record of 17-2. She was named the Western Reserve Conference Player of the Year for the third time, won the NE Ohio district title and reached the quarterfinals of the state tournament, where she lost to eventual runner-up Martha Thompson of Cincinnati Indian Hill. She returns as a two-time state champion.
Haley Slay, Archbishop Hoban, Senior
Slay returns as a three-time Division II individual qualifier and is one of the area’s top recruits. As a junior, she finished 20-3, won the Wooster Sectional title and placed third at districts. She made the state championship quarterfinals and was named to the All-Ohio second team.
Rida Tahir, Laurel, second-year student
As a freshman, Tahir posted a record of 16-5 at No. 1 singles. She earned a spot in the D-II state tournament, where she lost a tough first-round match (7-5, 4-6, 6-4).
Second team
Corinne Daniels, Magnificat, senior
Daniels played primarily at No. 2 singles and No. 1 doubles for the Blue Streaks, compiling an overall record of 20-16 and qualifying for the state doubles tournament in DI.
Ally Haynes, Highland, Senior
Last season, Haynes finished 14-8 as the No. 1 singles player and won the Suburban League American title. She earned her first berth in the DI state singles tournament.
Valeria Kislyansky, Hawken, sophomore
As a freshman, Kislyansky impressed both as a singles player (7-4, No. 2) and as a doubles player, teaming with Hayley Garber to win the Solon Sectional title and place second in the NE Ohio District, qualifying for the state championship in D-II.
Amber Korey, Avon Lake, Sr
In each of her three previous seasons, Korey was ranked No. 1 in singles for the Shorelags and was named All-Southwestern Conference. Last season, she qualified for the state doubles tournament in DI along with her sister Autumn.
Autumn Korey, Avon Lake, senior
Korey, the No. 3 singles champion in the SWC Conference, lost just two matches last season. She and her sister Amber won the Medina Sectional and finished second in the NE Ohio District, qualifying for state.
Kamy Milano, Aurora, Junior
Milano, who was undefeated at No. 2 in singles last season, returns as a state qualifier (doubles). She won the Suburban League-American title at No. 2 to earn first-team honors.
Molly Williams, Magnificat, Junior
In his sophomore year, Williams, ranked No. 3 on the Blue Streaks, lost only two singles matches (27-8 overall) and qualified for the DI state tournament in doubles alongside Daniels.
Honorable Mention
Amy Grace Beebe, Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy, Sr.
Madeline Everest, Hathaway Brown, Jr.
Haylee Fearon, Perry, Jr.
Lily Guiler, Orange, Jr.
Mallory Hannan, Hudson, Sr.
Bella Hsieh, Hawken, Sr.
Maddie Huen, Avon, Sr.
Elizabeth Meiners, Avon Lake, Sr.
Julia Mavis, Bay, Jr.
Anna Mills, Hathaway Brown, So.
Karlie Nicolai, Archbishop Hoban, Jr.
Kenzie Pawlak, Highland, Sr.
Claire Schlak, Highland, Jr.
Alex Ungaro, Kenston, Sr.
