Jake's List: Richland County's top returning girls tennis players have Shelby, Lexington theme

MANSFIELD — They are traditional powerhouse programs.

So, it should be as no surprise that the top returning Richland County girls tennis players call Shelby or Lexington home. There are six players that call Richland County home who should be watched closely during the 2024 season. Let's take a look at this edition of Jake's List and find out who they are.

GOLF: Jake's List: Top returning male and female golfers in Richland County

Richland County's Top 6 Returning Girls Tennis Players

6. Zada Marquis, Shelby

Marquis found herself in the Division II district tournament last year teaming up with then-senior teammate Gracie May as a doubles team. They bowed out after their first match at districts, but getting there was a huge accomplishment. Now, Marquis will either find a new doubles partner or flip over and go the singles route, but either way, having that district tournament experience will be huge for her senior year.

5. Ulo Ezike, Lexington

Ezike played doubles in the postseason with Malaina Wolfe and the duo won a match at the Division II district tournament beating Jenova DeBrosse and Brailynn Murphy of Lima Shawnee 7-5, 6-2 before falling in their next match. Ezike is just a junior this year so having that experience in the district tournament and even a win under her belt will do wonders this year as she looks to build on last year's success.

4. Malaina Wolfe, Lexington

Wolfe had a nice postseason run with Ezike last year winning a match in the district tournament before a run at a state berth fell just short. Back for her senior year, Wolfe has a decision to make. Either continue her doubles run with her teammate or try her hand in singles as Lady Lex will be looking to replace their postseason singles competitor this season.

3. McKenna Baker, Shelby

Baker was a district qualifier in singles last season where she won her first match of the tournament beating Clyde's Claire Timmons 6-2, 6-3 before dropping her next match. Baker was a first team All-Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference player where she helped the Whippets win another league championship. Baker could have an interesting decision to make this postseason as she could either go in as a singles player or team up with Marquis to form a very solid doubles team that could make a run at a district championship.

1B. Bella Carver, Shelby

Our Top 2 are connected so they have to be considered 1A and 1B. Carver teamed up with Annie Mahek to become the first state qualifiers for Shelby in 14 years and the first doubles team to make it in 30 years. And they are both back and ready for more. Carver was an honorable mention All-Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference player last year after she missed some time with a knee injury, but when she returned, she was lights out taking third in the Division II district doubles bracket to advance to state. Back for her senior year and 100% healthy, Carver has a chance to do some special things in 2024.

1A. Annie Mahek, Shelby

Mahek joined Carver to do some legendary things last season and it is crazy to think the best is yet to come. Mahek earned Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference Player of the Year honors after she cruised to a first singles championship, but knew that if she wanted to make a run in the tournament, it would be with a doubles partner. So, she hooked up with Carver to make a run through the district tournament beating teams from Celina, Sandusky St. Mary's Central Catholic, and Port Clinton. They did drop their first match at state to narrowly miss out on All-Ohio honors, but having that experience, Mahek could see herself winning a couple of matches at state and getting that all-state honor.

jfurr@gannett.com

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This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Jake's List: Richland County's top returning girls tennis players have Shelby, Lexington theme