Beavercreek’s Ansley Violette rips a forehand return as part of her doubles match in the state semifinals of the OHSAA Girls Tennis Division I State Championships on Oct. 16, 2026 at the Lindner Family Tennis Center.
GEOFF NEVILLE / CONTRIBUTED
MASON — Just one victory away from competing for a state crown, local participants instead found themselves on the outside looking in — literally — during the Ohio High School Athletic Association’s Girls State Tennis Championships on Friday, Oct. 16, at the Lindner Family Tennis Center.
Due to poor weather, Friday’s semifinals and finals on both the Division I and II levels were moved indoors, meaning Oakwood’s Sister Act doubles tandem of Niobe and Narella Beiersdorfer would be next-door neighbors to Jills’ singles standout Mila Gelbart for their respective early-morning Final Four showdowns.
And moments later, Beavercreek’s duo of Ansley Violette and Yuzu Olson would be in action only one court away to complete the area’s elite list of court performers.
But neither of the entrants were able to come up with a conquest as all fell in straight sets against quality opponents.
The Beiersdorfers — senior Niobe and freshman Narella — saw their magical year together come to a close with a 6-4, 6-2 setback against Gilmour Academy’s Grier Peckham and Abigail Lynch, who would ultimately earn the D-II championship a few hours later.
Gelbart, fresh off an amazing comeback decision in the quarterfinals, could not get past Laurel’s Rida Tahir in the D-II Singles semis, falling by a score of 6-3, 6-3.
Violette and Olson were also defeated — for the second time in a one-week span — by eventual state champions Emma Wagner and Saavni Reddy from Mason 6-2, 6-2, which was the exact same score of last week’s district showdown.
It certainly wasn’t the finish either the Beavers or Jills had hoped for, but it was quite a magical ride for all of them — both during the regular season and tournament.
For the Beiersdorfers, simply playing together for one fall was a dream come true before Niobe went off to college, while Narella has three more years with the program.
“I’m so happy that we were able to do this because I feel like we’ve been planning it going back to my freshman year,” said Niobe Beiersdorfer, who is still undecided about her next move on the collegiate level. “We’ve played together all the time growing up, so it was great to make it this far (as teammates at Oakwood). Even in this last match, I thought we played phenomenally. I’m not disappointed or sad about how things went. We played great — we just went up against a great team.”
Uncharacteristically, the Beiersdorfers had difficulty holding serve and getting into a rhythm against the Gilmour tandem, which featured Lynch seeking her third consecutive state doubles title — with three different partners.
“What the sisters did this year was something they’ll remember for the rest of their lives,” said Oakwood coach Christy Heppner. “When you finish in the top four in the state, it’s a massive accomplishment — and it’s even more memorable when you can do it with your sister.”
Like the sisters, Gelbart had difficulty finding her game, thanks in part to the talented Tahir, who is only 5-foot-1 but can hit the ball with power, precision and authority.
After dropping the final two games of the opening set, Gelbart was even with Tahir in the second set at 3-3, but wouldn’t win another game.
“I’m really proud of making it to the Final Four, especially with my big (quarterfinal) win (Thursday),” Gelbart said. “Going into the season, I never thought I would make it this far, so I’m very happy about that.
“This year really showed me how far I can get, and how much better my game has gotten even since last year. I think I have the chance to come back even stronger next year.”
Oakwood’s trio isn’t finished with this fall’s action yet as the Jills will play at 9:15 a.m. Saturday at the Lindner Center in Mason in a Final Four team matchup against Olentangy Orange High School in the Division II Ohio Tennis Coaches Association Team State Tournament. The winner will play either Lima Shawnee or the Columbus School for Girls in the Division II final. The Jills are seeking their first team title since 2005.
“I’m excited to get back here with my team,” Gelbart said. “It’s a lot different when you’re playing as a team because you’re out there encouraging everyone instead of being by yourself. I’m looking forward to it.”
The Beavercreek doubles team entered their matchup as underdogs due to the tandems’ earlier result, but just making it that far was satisfying for Olson and Violette, who are known more for their singles excellence — but teamed up together to make the Final Four as partners.
“Actually, my favorite part of tennis is hitting volleys, so playing doubles is really fun for me,” said Olson — the Greater Western Ohio Conference Player of the Year as a ninth-grader. “I was surprised by how far we went, but Ansley was very confident of what we could accomplish.
“Doubles is different because you have to communicate with your partner, and you have to try to figure out the strategies and find the weaknesses of two different (opponents). I haven’t played much doubles in the past, so it was really fun.”
Each entrant was able to participate in a third-place match. Gelbart beat Wyoming senior Nina Myatt 6-0, 6-0 to earn third-place in D-II. The Beiersdorfers and Olson/Violette each finished fourth in their respected divisions.