Unionville’s Grace Li is Daily Local News Girls Tennis All-Area Player of the Year

EAST MARLBOROUGH >> The Who once sang about the “Kids Are Alright,” and that is being born out with the girls tennis talent in Chester County. Among the youthful standouts are West Chester Henderson freshman Kylie Kochis and Conestoga sophomore Kate Emmanuel.

Leading the pack is sophomore Grace Li of Unionville, who had a spectatcular season, going undefeated through the regular season, capturing the Ches-Mont League American Division singles championship and finishing second at both the District 1 3A singles tourney and the PIAA Class 3A state singles tournament.

Now, Li caps the season by being named the 2021 Daily Local News Girls Tennis All-Area Player of the Year.

“It’s a great honor,” said Li. “It hasn’t sunk in yet.”

Li missed her freshman season due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the shortened tennis slate; but this year, she hit the ground running and fit right into the team and the No. 1 singles spot.

“It didn’t take long to fit in,” she said. “The girls are real friendly and it wasn’t a problem at all.”

“She fit right in,” added Unionville coach Janet Johnston. “She’s quick to make friends, although she’s a little shy.

Once she gets to know you, she has a good sense of humor and naturally draws you in.”
Li rolled through the regular season, winning all 17 of her matches. She cruised to the Ches-Mont American Division singles title. On to the District 1 3A singles tournament she went, where she advanced to the final against Esha Velaga of North Penn. Velaga prevailed, 6-2, 6-3.

The situation reapeated itself at the PIAA championships, Li dropped one set on her way to the title match against Velaga. Li, however, was not able to turn the tables on the junior as she fell in straight sets.

The losses were the only two defeats on the season for Li and provides powerful motivation for her going into next season.

“Definitely,” she said. “It just makes you want to work harder on everything, and to make sure I can get back there.”

Li also had a successful season on the junior circuit, ranking second in her age group in the state and in the top 70 in the nation.

Dealing with the two different types of play, the singular world of tournament singles and the world of high school tennis, is something that Li had no problem navigating.

“I liked the team concept, playing for a team. The girls are easy to root for and we all get along well,” she said.

Like a lot of good junior players, Li does almost everything well. Her serve and all-around court game is superb and while she prefers to play at the baseline, she is certainly proficient at the net.

Li states that she just wants to hone all of those skills and continue to get better.

“I want to work on everything,” she said. “To work on my serve and my all-around game and make that the best it can be.”

According to Johnston, Li has a quiet confidence about her that transfers into a player who is certain about what shots to play and when to play them.

Unionville has turned out some outstanding players during Johnston’s tenure, becoming one of the premier tennis programs in the area. And with two years to go, Li has a chance to etch her name among the school’s best.

Regardless of her future on-court performances, Li’s personality will always be world class. according to Johnston,

“She makes friends with everyone,” she said. “All of those kids that play, compete against each other and are truly great friends off the court. She is genuinely easy to like with a great sense of humor.”