Rochester’s Dieters reigns as Miss Tennis
TOP OF THE CHARTS: Rochester's Kelsey Dieters was named Miss Tennis on Saturday night by the MHSTCA, becoming the fifth time in two school years that the Falcons have produced a state athlete of the year in female athletics. File Photo
BY DAN STICKRADT
SENIOR EDITOR
dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com
ROCHESTER HILLS — After posting her second undefeated season in her stellar four-year career at Rochester, Kelsey Dieters was named Miss Tennis Saturday night by the Michigan High School Tennis Coaches Association.
Dieters was the heavy favorite after capping her senior campaign with a No. 1 singles state championship in Division 1, topping Alix Thurman of Harrison Township L’Anse Creuse in three sets, 3-6, 7-5, 6-4 in the finals at the Midland Community Tennis Center on June 4.
Dieters helped her team finish ninth in the final standings and also aided the Falcons qualifying for the state finals all four years.
“It’s been a lot of fun (the past four years),” said Dieters, who was also named to the All-State First Team-Singles for Division 1. “Everything that has happened is quite an honor.”
Each of the state’s four divisions had one finalist each, with Dieters winning the prestigious award over fellow seniors Talia Johnson of Portage Northern (D-2), Molly Wickman of East Grand Rapids (D-3) and Molly Geppner of Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard (D-4).
Dieters set multiple school records in her career, all playing No.1 singles. She lost one match during her final three years (80-1) and that came in the Division 1 state semifinals her junior year. Her 107-6 record for four years ranks among all-time best in the area for a No. 1 singles player.
Dieters finished as a state semifinalist as a freshman and junior while she was an undefeated state champion as both a sophomore and senior, when she finished 29-0.
Dieters, who signed with Ohio State back in November, has a busy summer set for various tournaments before she heads to Columbus. She is ranked in the top 50 nationally in her age group.
“She’s had as good of a run (in four years) as anyone in a long time,” said veteran Rochester coach Jerry Murphy.
Dieters is the second Rochester senior athlete to win state athlete of the year this school year. Brook Handler won the Miss Cross Country award last November after winning the Division 1 state championship and finishing in the top four in every race last season.
Dieters also marks the fifth time in two school years that a Rochester female athlete has won the state’s top honor, following Megan Goethals (Miss Cross Country and Miss Track and Field for 2009-10) and Christine Meier (Miss Golf 2009).
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