Raiders’ Quintero reboots mission with another state tennis tournament berth

QUINCY — Lia Quintero’s mission is to leave her mark, and she’s OK if it comes with an asterisk.

The Quincy Notre Dame junior set a goal coming into high school to be a four-time qualifier for the girls state tennis tournament, an effort that seemed doable after going 2-2 at the Class 1A state tournament as a freshman.

Then came COVID. Because of the coronavirus pandemic, the Illinois High School Association decided against conducting state tournaments in the fall and winter of last season. It robbed Quintero of a state appearance, one she would have made after finishing as the runner-up in the singles bracket at sectionals.

So in essence her state streak is still intact.

“That’s what I’m thinking,” Quintero said. “It still would have been nice to go to the tournament. Going up to state, it’s a whole nother level of competition. Win or lose, I’m just glad to be a part of.”

Her chances of success at state are solid. Quintero qualified for the Class 1A tournament, which begins Thursday at venues throughout the Chicagoland area, by finishing as the sectional runner-up to Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin’s Agnes Cross for the second straight year, but it was a three-set match that teetered on going either direction.

“I’m just going to play my hardest and see what the outcome is,” said Quintero, who opens against ninth-seeded Jacelyn Carmody of Troy Triad. “Win or lose, I know it’s going to be a good tournament.”

It’s another opportunity to showcase her growth as a player.

“I’ve definitely improved,” Quintero said. “Playing two other sports, it’s not like I get to dedicate my whole life to tennis. I try to get better when I can, and I feel like I’ve improved. There’s definitely growth with my power and things like that. That just comes naturally.”

The power is the strength of her game.

“I’ve always been kind of an aggressive player,” Quintero said. “It’s just how I like to play. It’s why I prefer singles over doubles. I think my power definitely affects my type of play.”

So does her mental approach. Quintero understands she’ll be facing a loaded field at the state tournament and won’t allow the outcomes to get her too high or too low.

“I don’t want to put a lot of pressure on myself,” Quintero said. “I want to enjoy the matches and the good players I’m going to face.”

And soak in another state appearance.

“To make it this year seems like a good reboot,” Quintero said. “I’m just glad to carry on the tradition.”