By: Kristy Booher Angelo, Associate Athletic Director
For More Info: booherk@gilmour.org

What a journey for varsity girls tennis player Carly Cohen '20. The senior, who has verbally committed and will be signing a NCAA National Letter of Intent to continue her tennis career at Division I Richmond University, finished out her high school career in the OHSAA Division II State Championship finals. It was not an easy road to get to the finals as Cohen had to upset the former two-time state champion at two different junctures in the postseason and take on several other top-notch competitors. In the end, a grueling two-plus hour battle ended in defeat, as Cohen went home as the state runner-up in DII singles play.

"Carly was a courageous state finalist as she rose up after a disappointing loss in sectional play to her opponent from Orange only to return to districts and take out this very talented player," said head coach Cyndi Smith.

"Her district record was perfect and she rallied to beat not only the previous state champion, but two other state qualifiers from 2018. Carly is the epitome of a great athlete who learns from her losses and comes back to her opponents with a plan to better her results. She is a great motivator to her teammates because of these traits and her work ethic is exemplary," said Smith.

Cohen previously competed at the state level as a freshman in doubles play after partnering with then senior Claudia Althans '17, who went on to compete at Villanova University. The pair finished as state runners-up in OHSAA Division II Doubles action.

Earlier this season, Cohen was named the Most Valuable Player of the North Coast League (NCL). 

A Look at Carly Cohen's Postseason Journey 

Sectional/District Level

6-0, 6-0 win vs. Boardman (Daniella Mendel)

7-5, 6-2 win vs. Hathaway Brown (Nicole Gillinov, defending state champ for 2017, 2018)

2-6, 6-4, 6-1 win vs. Orange (Blessing Nwaozuzu, sectional winner and state qualifier 2018)

6-3, 6-1 win vs. West Geauga (Rylie Hanford, 3rd place state 2018)

State Level

6-0, 6-0 win vs. Napoleon

6-2, 6-0 win vs. Chillicothe Unioto

6-4, 6-2 win vs. Hathaway Brown (Nicole Gillinov, defending state champ for 2017, 2018)

Championship Finals

4-6, 5-7 loss to Gahanna Columbus Academy  (Sydni Ratliff, nationally ranked USTA-funded player)

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