Dixon’s Ferguson tops Sterling’s Aitken to advance to second day at state

Sterling senior Ellie Aitken and Dixon senior Grace Ferguson have been the top two singles players in the area this season. It’s almost fitting they met at the state tournament in Class 1A.

Ferguson lost her opening match 6-3, 0-6, 10-6 before making her run in the consolation bracket. She beat two players to reach the third consolation round with a trip to Day 2 at state on the line.

Aitken also lost her first match before handling two straight consolation matches.

Then, with the two locals meeting in Elk Grove, Ferguson pulled out a 7-6 (5), 6-2 win to extend her season for at least another day. The highest she could finish is fifth.

“Making it to the second day of state for singles has been a very big goal of mine for a long time, so it feels very accomplishing to finally achieve that,” Ferguson said. “It was very interesting playing someone you are already very familiar with at state. I have known Ellie for a long time and gotten to play her numerous times, so I knew what I would be going up against. I think we both played to the best of our abilities, so it turned out to be an amazing match.”

“We were cheering for Ellie’s success all day, and it is crazy that it came down to the two of them playing each other to advance,” Dixon coach Jamie Brigl said. “Ellie played one heck of a match and made things very difficult for Grace.”

Aitken was proud of the way she played.

“I fought as hard as I could, and I’m really happy that it led to a couple of wins,” she said. “Obviously, I wish I was playing tomorrow, and I never like losing, but it’s easier since I know I left it all on the court.”

She is Sterling’s first singles player to win two matches at state since Johanna Jahns went 3-2 in 2010.

“Grace played phenomenal tennis and deserved the win,” Sterling coach Kip Aitken said. “We all hope she continues to win tomorrow.”

Ferguson is Dixon’s first singles player to reach Day 2 at state in at least 28 years, according to available IHSA online records going back to 1996. Dixon has not had a singles medalist at state, according to IHSA records.

Ferguson made it to Day 2 in doubles two years ago with Leah Kuehl, falling in the fourth round of consolation and finishing 3-2.

Fellow Dixon senior Addison Arjes also had a successful trip to state, winning her first match in straight sets before a 6-2, 7-6 (5) loss in the second round. She went 1-1 in consolation, falling in the third round and going 2-2 after a 1-2 showing last season in singles.

“Being able to win two matches at state shows to never doubt what I can do when I’m determined,” Arjes said. “[It] was a great end to my high school career.”