What began as one player competing independently has turned into a fully developed tennis program at Carterville. Two of the team’s top players have been the center of that growth. In its first official season, the Carterville girls tennis team not only proved it belongs, but also surprised many.
The Carterville tennis team began before the season even started. One of the players, Catherine Chyzhyk, had competed the year before as an independent, coached by Steve, who would later become the team’s head coach. Seeing the potential for something bigger, Chyzhyk’s father approached the school board about officially forming a team. With support from the athletic department and Steve’s willingness to continue coaching, Carterville tennis became a reality.
With it being the program’s first year, there were no strict expectations for turnout. Anyone interested in it was welcome, which turned out to be a major strength. “Tennis isn’t a big thing in Carterville,” Chyzhyk explained, noting that many teammates had never even picked up a racket before. Still by the start of the season, around 20 girls had shown up.
After sitting down to speak with the team’s two top players, both players speak on how they came into the season with two different tennis backgrounds. While most of the teammates came in with different tennis backgrounds, over time, the team grew closer through practices and matches. Catherine Chyzhyk began playing only after moving here three or four years ago and did not begin taking tennis seriously until joining the Anderson Tennis Academy. Kara More started playing at age nine, and taking a break from the sport at 14 due to being burned out. More returned to the sport when finding out Carterville was finally getting a team. Having a team environment made all the difference for them both. “It’s just a better environment,” More said. “I’m so happy I came back and started playing again.”
One of the most unique moments of the season was during sectionals, when the two teammates faced each other in singles. While they were used to playing each other in practice, competing in such an important match felt different. Both agreed it was a “valuable experience- not just personally, but for the team- since both advanced and represented Carterville well.
Compared to the previous year of competing independently, the team format brought a new level of confidence. The support system became especially important as they advanced to higher levels of competition, including state, where the level of play was noticeably higher. “Tennis up there is a completely different sport,” Chyzhyk said, pointing out that many competitors from the Chicago area had been playing year-round since childhood. Despite being a brand-new program, Carterville quickly earned respect. One of the team’s biggest moments came with a 7-2 win over Carbondale, a school with a strong tennis background and ties to the Anderson Tennis Academy. That upset served as a turning point, giving the team confidence and forcing other schools to acknowledge them and take them seriously.
Looking ahead, both athletes are optimistic about the future. With growing visibility, local tennis academies, and incoming freshmen who may not yet realize their potential, More and Chyzhyk believe the program is only getting started.