Sophomore Catherine Chyzhyk has made a significant mark on the tennis scene this year, earning a spot in the state finals and showcasing her talent on a larger stage. As one of the youngest competitors, Catherine’s journey is a testament to hard work, dedication, and an unyielding passion for the sport.
Catherine’s preparation for the state tournament began well in advance of the competition, underscoring her dedication to the sport. She said “The best practice I received, both mental and physical, was probably the sectional tournament that happened around a week before state. It also helped me to get used to the format of the IHSA events and it introduced me to different players and their unique styles of play.”
Catherine knows that it is a deeply important and strategic sport. She also said “Although it looks like people just hitting balls across a court, tennis is a very mental sport and the best way to prepare for a big tournament is to play a lot of smaller ones.”
Competing in these smaller tournaments not only hones technical skills but also helps players learn to manage serves as a valuable lesson, shaping her ability to perform under pressure. Participating then in the sectional tournament also allowed her to acclimate to the specific format of IHSA events. She adds “I was super excited. I had been training for a while by that point and thought I definitely had a shot, but wasn’t completely sure until after the sectional tournament.”
This dedication paid off as she navigated through the state qualifiers with impressive performances, ultimately earning her place at the state finals. Understanding the structure and rules ahead of time provided her with a significant advantage, thus enabling her to focus on her performance rather than grappling with unfamiliarity during the state tournament.
Competing at the state level was both exhilarating and nerve-wracking for Catherine. “As a sophomore, being at State was super intimidating. Everyone seemed so much more confident and put together than me, but I was also proud of myself for getting to that point among a bunch of juniors and seniors” said Chyzhyk.
Despite the pressure, Catherine focused on her game, drawing strength from her rigorous preparation. Though she faced tough matches, Catherine’s resilience shone through. She advanced further than she anticipated, gaining invaluable experience along the way. “I now know what I can work on to improve my game and hopefully proceed through more rounds next year, and also have an idea of what tennis at a higher level looks like. This has also been a huge ego boost for me” she explained.
She also said “I think I could have started playing tournaments a lot earlier, which would have given me more experience that I could have used to help me at both Sectionals and State. My serve was also pretty bad throughout my matches at State, so I wish I could go back and tell myself to stop being so tense while serving as it only harmed my game.”
After the tournament, the impact of her achievement began to sink in. Catherine felt a surge of confidence and inspiration. “Qualifying for State has impacted my confidence and motivation in a very positive way,” she said. “I celebrated by going to a steakhouse with my dad and tennis coach, which was some of the best steak I’ve had. I stayed in Chicago for the rest of the weekend with childhood friends, which was an amazing way to celebrate as well.”
As she looks ahead to the next season, Catherine is setting ambitious goals. With her passion and determination, there is no doubt Catherine Chyzhyk is a rising star in the local tennis community, and her journey is just beginning.
