High school tennis: Kennett’s Tejeda, Rebstock place one-two in singles

Kennett High School senior Christi Tejeda has become the “Mother hen” on the team during the 2023 season.

Tejeda used her experience to beat teammate Olivia Rebstock, 6-1, 6-0 in the singles championship at the Class 1 District 1 individual tournament Thursday at a sultry Wheatley Courts.

“This is the second time they have battled together,” Kennett head coach Janet Hilburn said, noting the individual match between Tejeda and Rebstock on Saturday, Sept. 16 at the Indians’ own tournament.

Kennett's Olivia Rebstock returns a shot during the Class 1 District 1 girls tennis tournament dated Thursday, Sept. 28, at The Wheatley Courts in Kennett.(Photo by Eric Viccaro, staff)

Paraphrasing Hilburn, Tejeda has helped Rebstock — teaching her about competition and being aggressive in matches.

“She has made Olivia a better tennis player,” Hilburn added.

Tejeda’s impact has been immeasurable, and the pair have drawn close as teammates this season — having also been No. 2 slot doubles partners.

Kennett High School tennis players (from left), Olivia Rebstock, Christi Tejeda, Handley McAtee and Claire Bean (Holcomb) jump for joy after the Class 1 District 1 tournament on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023, at The Wheatley Courts in Kennett. (Photo by Eric Viccaro, staff)

Tejeda was the top-seeded singles player in the tournament, and she only gave up one game the entire day.

Rebstock had a tougher draw, needed to win three matches in advancing to the finals, including third-place finisher Kattarah Churchill 6-1, 4-6 (10-8 in the tie-breaker).

Semoball.com award winners Handley McAtee and Claire Bean (Holcomb) continued their mastery over opponents.

McAtee and Bean didn’t give up a single game en route to the doubles championship, including a 6-0, 6-0 conquest over Saxony Lutheran’s duo of Margaret Hillin and Abigail Haley in the title contest.

“I’m so proud of them,” Hilburn said about the unbeaten tandem of McAtee and Bean. “They keep getting better. They keep woking hard and stay motivated.”

Coming up

Next week, Kennett tennis players will certainly be busy, with team tennis matches set for Tuesday — and most likely Wednesday — with the individual sectional tournament set for Saturday, Oct. 7, also at The Wheatley Courts.

INFORMATION

GIRLS TENNIS

Class 1 District 1

Tournament

At Wheatley Courts, Kennett

Top-four finishers

Singles

1, Christi Tejeda, Kennett

2, Olivia Rebstock, Kennett

3, Kattarah Churchill, Dexter

4, Addelyn Thomason, Saxony Lutheran

Doubles

1, Handley McAtee/Claire Bean, Kennett

2, Margaret Hillin/Abigail Haley, Saxony Lutheran

3, Puja Maisuria/Kinley Kennedy, Dexter

4, Amelia Logan/Olandria Williams, Charleston