Naperville Central’s Jacquelyne Qi took a year off from high school tennis but looks to make a comeback for her senior season. Justin Cornwell brings us this Player Profile, presented by Edgewood Clinical Services.
The Athlete Profile
Naperville Central girls tennis has been a program filled success, specifically over the past 30 years. With a team championship in 1993 and elite talent like four-time state champion Elizabeth Lumpkin and 2013 state champion and four-time medalist Tiffany Chen, taking the court in the red and white as the number one singles player for the Redhawks is a proud honor.
In the fall of 2016, freshman Jacquelyne Qi took on the unenviable task of stepping into the number one singles role at Central following the graduation of Tiffany Chen. Despite her youth, Qi quickly showcased her impressive abilities, going toe to toe with the top players in the state.
While she didn’t get far enough to medal, the freshman made her presence felt by winning the West Aurora singles sectional championship, in addition to the team sectional title. At the state meet, Qi won four matches and earning second team All-State honors from the Illinois High School Tennis Coaches Association.
As a sophomore there was still a high level of performance, but the results were not quite at the same level. Qi finished at the sectional runner up and earned All-State honors once again, this time as a third team selection.
Before her junior season in 2018, Jacquelyne decided to play in U.S Tennis Association tournaments and take a break from the high school season.
But this fall, you can imagine the joy that Naperville Central head coach Alyssa Girgis felt when she found out that Jacquelyne Qi would be returning to high school tennis.
The serve is on point, the forehand is still deadly and her confidence is sky high. With the post season just weeks away, Qi appears ready and able to compete with the state’s best once again. And the Redhawk tennis team couldn’t be happier to see their ace back in fold doing what she does best. For Naperville Sports Weekly, I’m Justin Cornwell.
Check out how Qi and the Redhawk’s are doing in our Girls Sports Highlights!
