Kaitlyn Snyder’s goal at the beginning of the season was to qualify for the state tournament. Now she can set her goals even higher. Snyder defeated Erica Cornell of Raymore-Peculiar 6-3 6-3 in her sectional match at Cooper Tennis Complex Tuesday to qualify for state in about ten days.
The biggest moment of the match was early in the second set, with Snyder up a set and tied with Cornell at one game apiece. With Cornell serving, the game went to seven deuces before Snyder finally won the game, breaking Cornell’s serve and taking control.
“I knew that game was really important for me to win. Whoever won that was up, so I knew, even though I was exhausted, I had to keep my head into it and play my heart out,” Snyder says.
Snyder held serve the rest of the way and picked up another break to make the score 5-2, before finishing out the match. She says it took about three games at the beginning of the match to get over her nerves.
“I usually don’t get nervous, but I was freaking out,” Snyder says. “After the first three games, I was good, but it took me a while.”
The state tournament will be held at Cooper Tennis Complex in Springfield the weekend after next.