QND’s Schuetz reaches final four in singles at sectional, earns berth in state tennis tourney

QUINCY — Evie Schuetz’s leadership proved invaluable for the Quincy Notre Dame girls tennis team throughout the fall.

Her persistence and preparation is why the fall season isn’t over just yet.

The QND senior earned a spot in the Class 1A state tournament, finishing fourth in singles in the QND Sectional on Saturday at the Greeman Tennis Center in Reservoir Park. Schuetz won two matches Friday to reach the semifinals and guarantee herself a state berth.

The fourth-seeded Schuetz beat Jerseyville’s Josie Hudson 6-2, 6-3 and Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin’s Caroline Sheehan 6-2, 6-4 in the first two rounds. Saturday morning, she lost 6-0, 6-0 to Chatham Glenwood’s Samantha Shankland, the No. 1 seed who won the singles championship.

In the third-place match, Schuetz lost 6-1, 6-3 to Jerseyville’s Libby McCormick.

Schuetz will play in the state tournament beginning Thursday in Buffalo Grove.

At the Class 2A Edwardsville Sectional, both Quincy High School doubles teams won their first match on Friday and lost their second match to be eliminated. QHS junior Lily and Phoebe Hayes won 6-1, 6-3 against a team from Granite City before losing 6-3, 6-0 to Edwardsville’s Zoe and Sophie Byron.

QHS freshmen Anika Reddy and Mary Dodd won their first match 6-1, 3-6, 6-0 against a team from O’Fallon before losing 6-2, 6-1 to Edwardsville’s Alyssa Wise and Katie Woods.