Isabella Portnoy spent a while debating her options for this spring.
The Okemos junior and four-star tennis prospect weighed playing another season of travel tennis or returning to play high school with close friend Isabelle Hult.
Ultimately, the appeal of playing one last spring with Hult, who is a senior, was the biggest draw.
“I knew (Isabella ) wanted me to (play) but she never pressured me into anything,” Portnoy said. “At first I wasn’t going to play. Then part of me was like maybe I should since I have one more year with her. She didn’t persuade me in any way. It was all me deciding I wanted to spend one more year with her.”
That decision has been rewarding for Portnoy, who has had a lot of fun playing with Hult and also enjoyed being back in the team environment of high school tennis.
The LSJ girls athlete of the week winner has also built on the success she had as a freshman when she was named first team all-state in Division 1 by the Michigan High School Tennis Coaches Association and reached the quarterfinals at No. 1 singles at the state finals.
Portnoy, who committed to continue her tennis career at Michigan State in April, finished as the regional champion at No. 1 singles on May 15. She won each of her matches in straight sets en route to the title.
Portnoy hopes to end her junior season strong at the state finals May 29-30 in Midland. She gained a lot from her finals experience in 2024 and is ready to take another step this spring and make a push for a state championship.
“Obviously I’m hoping to take the cake and maybe win states,” Portnoy said. “It’s a goal that I’m going to have to strive hard for since there’s a lot of great competition at states. I think if I really put my heart to it, it is achievable.”
Contact Brian Calloway at bcalloway@lsj.com. Follow him on X @brian_calloway and Bluesky @briancalloway.
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: MSU commit Isabella Portnoy chasing state title in high school tennis return
Reporting by Brian Calloway, Lansing State Journal / Lansing State Journal
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