In just a few days, Ellie Strube leaves for Colorado Springs, Colorado, to start six weeks of basic training at the United States Air Force Academy.
The Center Grove graduate’s competiveness and attention to detail will no doubt come in handy.
Strube, whose lone season as the Trojans’ No. 1 singles player resulted in a 16-10 record, helped lead the school to its deepest postseason run in nine years. Center Grove made the state semifinals before bowing out against second-ranked Park Tudor.
Strube, whose grade-point average of 4.57 ranked her 16th in her class academically, is the Daily Journal’s Player of the Year.
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“Ellie is very disciplined and very committed,” Trojans coach Debby Burton said. “If she makes a plan, she does a good job of working toward that and not be reminded. It’s pretty impressive.
“She’s a great team player and looked forward to the challenge. She was just ready to go every day.”
Strube started her varsity tennis career playing No. 3 singles or as part of either doubles team. She played doubles again as a sophomore before moving to the second singles spot during the 2018 season.
She knew going into her senior season that playing No. 1 singles was indeed a possibility.
“You train in the offseason to be the best player you can be, but I knew I could pull my weight in that spot,” Strube said. “I felt I had a responsibility to take care of business. I’m very pleased with how our team performed, especially in the postseason.
“By the end of the season we were pretty solidified.”
Strube helped the Trojans capture the Johnson County team title; she placed third at No. 1 singles in the Metropolitan Interscholastic Conference tournament at Ben Davis in May.
Center Grove peaked in the postseason, dominating sectional, regional and semistate and winning six consecutive matches by 5-0 scores. The Trojans’ final record was 15-7.
Strube is prepared for her next adventure and feels fortunate to have invested so much time in tennis, a sport she may attempt to play at Air Force as a walk-on.
“Tennis,” she said, “develops a strong mental fortitude.”
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The 2019 All-Johnson County team for girls tennis:
Sophia Davidson, Greenwood freshman: Posted a 16-1 record at first singles for the Woodmen … Enjoyed an unbeaten regular season that was highlighted by a perfect run through the Mid-State Conference tournament.
Ashlee Fisk, Center Grove sophomore: Enjoyed a 19-4 season at No. 2 singles, going 7-1 in the postseason to help Center Grove reach the state semifinals as a team.
Jillian Garrett, Center Grove senior: Posted a 16-8 record at third singles and went undefeated against county opposition while helping the Trojans advance to state semifinals.
Reese Johnson, Whiteland senior: Played in the No. 1 singles slot again for the Warriors, posting a 17-7 mark while helping the team to the sectional championship match.
Sarah Scott, Whiteland sophomore: Had a near-perfect season at No. 2 singles, winning 22 straight matches and a Mid-State Conference title before finishing the year at 22-1.
Ellie Strube, Center Grove senior: Led Trojans to state semis for first time since 2010, posting a 13-9 record at first singles … Went unbeaten in state tournament play until Center Grove’s semifinal loss.
Holyn Aukerman and Jenna Boha, Center Grove juniors: Excelled in the No. 1 doubles spot, where Aukerman was 16-8 and Boha was 18-7 … Won seven straight matches in state tournament play.
Kate Heuchan and Daryn Hyneman, Franklin seniors: Were an impressive 14-3 together at first doubles for the Grizzly Cubs, whose only two losses of the season came against Center Grove.
Honorable mention
Singles: Katie Burkman, Indian Creek; Emma Genter, Franklin; Haylie Rayl, Franklin; Sophie Venter, Whiteland; Lexi Wilkison, Franklin
Doubles: Allison Bennett/Rachel Pinnick, Franklin; Abby Hoard/Sydney Plowman, Center Grove; Marissa Linville/Maecee Terhune, Greenwood
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