By Rich Palzewic
Sports Editor
GREEN BAY – Rachel Van Hefty, a senior at Notre Dame Academy, said she hopes to get one final chance to compete this season on the girls’ tennis team.
“When we had to close schools last March (due to the COVID-19 pandemic), I didn’t think we’d still be worrying about things to this extent five months later,” said Rachel, the daughter of Jim and Laura Van Hefty. “If we do have a season, I’ll be happy seeing my friends and playing tennis again. If we manage to make it to state as a team or I do individually, that would be a best-case scenario. There are lots of good players in the area.”
Van Hefty qualified for the individual state tournament with her No. 1 doubles partner Caragan Olles last season and also participated at team state during her freshman and sophomore years.
“One of my not-so-proud moments was hitting Caragan in the back of the head with a ball last year at state,” she said. “It was a pretty hard backhand, too.”
Van Hefty said the tennis team has been practicing at Notre Dame in pods of 10 during the summer contact days.
“We’ve been mindful of what needs to be done,” she said. “We have to patient because it will take time. I’m excited what the season will bring – 43 girls are signed up and we have lots of younger talent.”
Van Hefty has four older siblings – two brothers and two sisters – who all went to West De Pere High School.
“Between the four of them, they played football, basketball, soccer, danced and ran cross country,” she said. “My mom was born in Oshkosh but moved to the area when she was seven and went to St. Joseph’s Academy in Green Bay. My dad went to Abbot Pennings High School in De Pere and played football at St. Norbert College.”
Van Hefty said she picked Notre Dame because she likes the smaller-school atmosphere and many of her friends also go there.
“I feel Notre Dame is preparing me for college,” she said. “I’ve toured Madison, Minnesota, St. Thomas and Edgewood College to continue my education. I’d like to study something in the business field. I’d feel lucky to get into any of the four.”
She played at No. 4 singles as a freshman, No. 3 singles her sophomore season and No. 1 doubles last year.
“This season, I’m leaning more toward singles,” said Van Hefty. “Singles is a lot more running, but I get more focused playing. In doubles, you have a partner to help calm you down and be with. There are advantages to both.”
She said her strengths as a player are her serve, a strong backhand and her play at the baseline.
“My net game has gotten better, but I need to work more on that,” she said.
Van Hefty has had two different head coaches in her three years at Notre Dame, and this season, Sommer May will be taking over.
“So far, Sommer is doing a great job,” said Van Hefty, who describes herself as outgoing, genuine and compassionate. “She played tennis at Notre Dame. It’s a difficult spot for a new coach to come into.”
She also likes sewing, volunteering, hanging out with family and friends, listening to country music, visiting her grandma, eating cheeseburgers and twice-baked potatoes, tennis player Serena Williams, bubble gum ice cream, the month of October, the color orange and the restaurant Chipotle.