The high school tennis career of Center Grove’s Ashlee Fisk never really intersected with the road traditionally traveled.
Because of circumstances beyond her control, what should have been a four-year varsity career was abbreviated to three. Fisk’s time as the Trojans’ No. 1 singles player was halved from two seasons to one.
Instead of mulling over what might have been, the senior simply went out and did everything she could to improve her game. Fisk finished the 2021 season with a 19-4 record as her team’s No. 1 singles player, earning her the nod as the Daily Journal’s Player of the Year.
As a sophomore, Fisk mostly played the second singles spot for a Trojans squad that advanced to the 2019 state semifinals. A year later, the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic shut down spring sports entirely.
“Last year, it was a pretty big shock to everybody that COVID happened and we weren’t going to have a season,” Fisk said. “It was really sad because I was close to last year’s seniors, but I kind of turned it into a positive.
“I trained every single day. I didn’t want to be lazy and wanted to get better because I just have that hunger for the game. Coming out and having this season, it was extra special because it was just a whole bunch of unknowns.”
What became evident early was that the talents of Fisk assured Center Grove a point far more often than not.
Fisk lost to Carmel’s and Columbus North’s top singles players and twice to Park Tudor junior Lauren Long, including a 7-5, 4-6, 6-4 marathon thriller at semistate in what was Fisk’s final match representing the Trojans.
“Ashlee is super dedicated to her game. Really passionate about it,” Center Grove coach Debby Burton said. “It’s been interesting to watch her grow into that. She’s always liked tennis, having coached her in middle school.
“To see it change from something fun, something I’m good at and something I enjoy to, ‘Wow, I could be really good at this and I really want to work at this.’ It’s been fun to watch her develop that passion and drive and become an excellent player versus a good player.”
Fisk, who carried a 3.9 grade-point average at Center Grove, will attend Indiana Wesleyan University, where she’ll major in nursing and play tennis for the Wildcats.
She looks forward to challenges both academically and athletically, and credits being part of the Center Grove school system as the ideal springboard to the future.
“Center Grove had made me love learning. I loved my teachers. My mom (Lisa) is a special education teacher, so she, really from when I was little, I’ve always been that sponge,” Fisk said. “It’s bittersweet that I am leaving, but at the same time I’m ready for that next step.”
[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”All-County team” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
The 2021 All-County team for girls tennis:
Singles
Ashlee Fisk, Center Grove senior: Player of the Year after posting 19-4 record at No. 1 singles for the Trojans, who finished regular season ranked eighth and advanced to semistate … An All-District 5 selection and a South All-Star.
Marisa Linville, Greenwood junior: Began the Woodmen season at No. 2 singles, running up a 6-0 record before being moved to the No. 1 spot … Finished the season with an overall record of 9-4.
Sarah Scott, Whiteland senior: An All-District 5 choice and South All-Star after putting together an 18-4 season as the Warriors’ No. 1 singles player … Three-year team captain finished with a career record of 57-10 … Mid-State Conference Scholar Athlete.
Sonya Vyas, Center Grove senior: Played the second singles spot for the Trojans, finishing season with a 14-9 record … Named Academic All-State, All-District 5 and a South All-Star.
Rylie Wilkinson, Franklin freshman: Made her varsity debut as the Grizzly Cubs’ No. 1 singles player, finishing with 17-7 record … An All-District 5 selection and the runner-up at the Mid-State Conference tournament.
Doubles
Haylie Rayl, Franklin senior, and Chelsie Rayl, Franklin freshman: This sister tandem went 24-2, making it to the sectional final and earning All-District 5 status … Mid-State Conference champions at first doubles … Haylie was a South All-Star and Academic All-State.
Sydney Plowman and Sapna Vyas, Center Grove seniors: Posted a 15-8 record as the Trojans’ top doubles team … Both were chosen Academic All-State and All-District 5.
Honorable mention
Singles
Lauren Foster, Indian Creek; Ailyn Hendricks, Franklin; Annelise Lollar, Edinburgh; Deepthi Shankar, Center Grove; Emma Williams, Franklin
Doubles
Natalie Cloer and Molly Brosnan, Whiteland; Sophia Davidson and Brooklyn Hanson, Greenwood; Hudson Gilstorf and Lauren Dick, Center Grove; Haley Haldeman and Emma Sappenfield, Franklin; Olivia Perry and Emilee Scott, Indian Creek
[sc:pullout-text-end]
