St. John Hudson senior competes at state tennis meet

St. John-Hudson senior Racheal Davis has done what no other St. John student has managed to do in 11 years, she qualified for state tennis.

“Rachael began her season with many health problems so we were not sure if she would even be able to play this year,” said Becca Luckner, her coach and sister. “She is strong-willed though and wouldn’t give up.”

St. John-Hudson’s tennis program has seen some lean years of late, but as a first year coach, Luckner was counting on her younger sister.

“It has been 11 years since somebody from St. John has made it to state,” she said. “We are so proud of her.”

Racheal medaled at some of the meets during the season ending with a 7-12 record in singles. At state she won her first match, but hey faced the number one seed in match two.

She lost that match, but went on to win her third match and fourth, which was for fifth place giving her a 10-13 record going into state play.

“It (her fourth match) was very challenging, but she played great and won it,” Luckner said.

At the state competition, Racheal did not come away with the top spot, but she played well in both matches according to her coach.

“It was a rally great feeling for me,” Racheal said. “I was really happy to be able to qualify since it takes a pretty good record to do that.”

Racheal is the daughter of Gailen and Melinda Davis, St. John.