Utica’s Davina Nguyen fought through injuries all season.
Up until a few weeks before the tournament, she didn’t even know if she would be back to play for her third Lower Peninsula Division 1 No. 1 singles championship.
Despite the adversity, Nguyen played her best tennis of the season and made history by winning her third consecutive championship at. No. 1 singles. She became just the sixth player to win the top flight at least three times.
Nguyen won in grand style by defeating rival Ava Thielman of Utica Eisenhower, 6-3, 6-3, at the Greater Midland Tennis Center.
“I had some nagging injuries this season that really slowed me down, but I knew I was going to be back this season. But it really was a matter of when it was going to happen,” said Nguyen, who will play her college tennis at Michigan State University. “Winning three straight titles is an amazing feeling. The support from my friends and family has been tremendous.”
Thielman had defeated Nguyen twice earlier this season, but carrying the pressure of the MHSAA finals, the senior (Nguyen) prevailed over the sophomore (Thielman).
“When you get to this point in the season, there is a lot of pressure on you to get the job done, but I did it,” Nguyen said. “It’s an amazing feeling to win three state titles.”