Raiders’ Quintero finishes among top 16 singles players in Class 1A state field

PALATINE, Ill. — Lia Quintero proved she belonged.

And it’s a safe bet she’ll be back.

The Quincy Notre Dame junior won another match Friday at the Class 1A girls state tennis tournament at Fremd High School, pushing her into the fifth round of the consolation bracket and into the top 16 singles players in the bracket.

She was eliminated with a 7-5, 6-2 loss to Danville’s Lexi Ellis, but her 3-2 record is a sign her game is continually evolving and improving.

“I’m super proud of myself,” Quintero said. “After getting knocked out the first day freshman year, my goal was to make it to the second day. Making it into the top 16 this time around is huge, and that in itself is enough to send me home smiling.”

Quintero opened play Friday with a 6-0, 6-1 victory over Rock Island Alleman’s Kate Rector before running into 

“I played really confidently in my first match,” Quintero said. “I had played her earlier in the season and definitely held myself together well. My shots just weren’t falling the same in the second match, and the fatigue seemed to get the better of me.”

Ellis was seeded 13th in the singles bracket and was one of three seeded players Quintero faced, and she matched up well with each.

“This gives me a huge push for my senior season, but also for my other two sports this year,” said Quintero, who also plays basketball and soccer. “This state tournament has been a great experience and a big confidence boost to my athletic abilities.”