Older sister earns bragging rights in Holzgrafe household by beating her brother for city juniors tennis title

QUINCY — The match did not end as Violet Holzgrafe would have preferred, but she has bragging rights over her brother either way.

Violet defeated her brother, August, 7-5, 1-0 in Sunday’s 14-and-under juniors title match in the Quincy Tennis Association City Singles Championships at the Greeman Tennis Center in Reservoir Park. August retired from the match due to heat exhaustion.

“I feel bad, but at the same time, I’m happy that I’m winning because I know he’s going to be mad at me,” Violet Holzgrafe said.

There was a little extra incentive for the winner.

“It was very competitive because he said whoever wins gets to put our dog in the pool,” Violet Holzgrafe said. “It was pretty high stakes and also bragging rights, so both of us wanted to win pretty badly.”

Between a city title and fun with the dog, Sunday’s clash had a little more on the line compared to their typical casual matches.

“It’s kind of weird because it doesn’t feel serious,” Violet Holzgrafe said. “We play a lot, so it doesn’t really feel serious. We’ll play out in our driveway, and it’s competitive, but it’s still just for fun, so it’s kind of weird playing him in this.”

Violet rallied from down 5-2 in the first set to win the next five games, putting her in the driver’s seat had the match continued.

“Honestly, I just try to keep it in play more than win the point because they’re more likely to make a mistake,” Violet Holzgrafe said of her strategy for coming back.

Violet, who will turn 14 later this week and will begin eighth grade at Quincy Junior High School this fall, said she cannot wait for the chance to play at the high school level in 2026.

“I’m excited,” Violet Holzgrafe said. “I think I’m going to like high school a lot more than junior high.”

For now, she will have to settle for a junior city title and bragging rights in the Holzgrafe household.