Margaret Junker

Saba Fajors and Megan Ouyang smile for a picture after qualifying to state. The girls are the number one and number two on the varsity tennis team. “I am very excited for state and to see how the competition is like,” Fajors said. “I just want to win a match. It’s going to be awesome.”

Juniors Megan Ouyang and Saba Fajors qualified to the MSHSAA (Missouri State High School Activities Association) State Tennis Tournament in Girls Singles Oct. 1. Both girls battled through multiple rounds and ultimately triumphed in the final round. 

“I hope that I can continue to play well and see good results,” Ouyang said. “I am also excited to spend a lot of time with Saba because we both get to go to state together.”

Fajors, the number two player for Ladue, had a tumultuous final round filled with ups and downs. She bounced back with a comeback and, thus, earned a trip to the state tournament. 

“There was a turning point in the match. I thought I was going to win the first set because I was up one-three, but I lost the set one-six,” Fajors said. “In the second set I won the set six-three and then I won the tiebreaker. I kept a level head and I did not get angry; I played good.”

This win was especially exciting for Ouyang — the number one seed in the entire district and number one player at Ladue. Ouyang had been grappling with a wrist injury throughout the entire season. As a result, Ouyang had to sit back and not play in previous matches multiple times. 

“During the season, I had wrist problems,” Ouyang said. ” I was just happy I was able to hold on until the end of the season and play well at districts.” 

Ouyang and Fajors are looking forward to competing in Springfield, MO in the following weeks. They will continue training and practicing in hopes of excelling at the tournament. 

“I am very excited for state and to see how the competition is like,” Fajors said. “I just want to win a match. It’s going to be awesome.”