AUSTIN — Taylor tennis player Rylee Michna was named Girls Athlete of the Year at the Gannett Austin Area High School Sports Awards at the Long Center in Austin. As a sophomore, Michna had a dominant record of 30-0, en route to her second state championship.
Her state title win was unique as she endured pain throughout the final match. During the state finals May 17, a medical timeout was needed for Michna due to heat and humidity.
“That was one of the grittiest performances I’ve seen,” Coach Kevin Williams said.
Michna’s entire body began to cramp due to the afternoon’s Williams said Michna struggled to move even after the timeout, but finished the set and match without dropping a game.
“To watch her go from struggling to even stand to finishing the match was impressive,” Williams said. “Probably 75 to 80% of kids facing the adversity she was facing that match would have pulled out.”
Michna made an adjustment due to her pain that involved choosing a different swing approach instead of hitting with her full body’s force, the player said.
She finished the second round match 6-0 to claim the championship.
As a freshman, Michna went 30-1 to win her first state title.
Taylor tennis star Rylee Michna and state champion was named Gannet’s Girl Athlete of the Year. Photo by Kerry Barboza
