Dunlap’s Yu wins 2025 CSM Girls Tennis Player of the Year

As a sophomore, Dunlap’s Anna Yu is already one of the best girls tennis players in Central Illinois history and Clutch Sports Media’s 2025 Girls Tennis Player of the Year. 

Yu dominated throughout the season and finished as the Class 1A singles runner-up at the IHSA State Finals, the highest finish by any Peoria-area girls tennis player since the IHSA state tournament began in 1972. Yu’s runner-up trophy helped Dunlap take home second place in Class 1A, the best season in the Eagles’ team history after finishing third in 2023 and 2024. 

She went 39-5 during the season, winning several tournaments including the Class 1A Dunlap Sectional title and Mid-Illini Conference title. It marked the second straight year that she won both tournaments. 

In 2024, Yu finished fifth in the state in Class 1A and despite being just a sophomore this year, she reached the prestigious 100 career wins threshold midway through the season. She earned first-team honors in the Mid-Illini’s all-conference and Clutch Sports Media’s all-area teams. 

At state, Yu beat Morris’ Shreya Patel 6-0, 6-0, Bethalto Civic Memorial’s Abigail Harms 6-1, 6-1, Aurora Rosary’s Maggie Lagman 6-3, 6-0, Lake Forest Woodland Academy’s Courtney Croll 7-5, 2-6, 6-2 and Chicago Latin’s Nicola Kupczyk 6-4, 6-2 before falling to Darien Hinsdale South’s Addy Filipiak 7-6 (5), 6-2 in the championship match. 

She’s part of a Dunlap team that featured six Clutch Sports Media All-Area selections. 

Hear from Yu about her season and career in our interview with her below:

How fun was it for you knowing that not only you were successful, but that your team was as well?

“As a sophomore this year, I've gotten to know the girls a lot better and how much we've connected over the season. It's great to be able to see everybody really thriving and enjoying playing tennis honestly and of course that trophy is nice too.”

After coming off a great season last year, how did you further improve this year?

“I think over the past year, I've worked a lot on my mental aspect. I think technique is really important in tennis but the greater aspect of it is being able to control your emotions on the court.”

What inspired your love for the game of tennis?

“I think I picked up my first racket when I was two, but I really didn’t start getting really into it until I was 10 or so. My first private coach, Victor [Spolidorio], he really helped inspire me and also my dad has just been such a great support to me over the past decade.”

Aside from winning, what’s a fun memory you had from this past season?

“For me, Senior Night was really nice. It was very bittersweet, and I'm so grateful that I was able to spend the season with all the amazing seniors, because I think they're great role models on and off the court. But more fun though, I guess getting ice cream on the way back from tournaments over the weekend.”

What’s a motto or mindset you have when you’re competing?

I think for me, sometimes it's just as simple as trusting myself. I know how much work and time and effort I put in. If I have any doubts on the court, I just don't play as good as I know I can.”

What are your future goals or plans?

“It would be nice to win a state championship in the future. If that doesn't happen, I think I've already learned so many life lessons from tennis, and I think as long as I continue to enjoy playing the sport and gain my skills, because I think tennis teaches so much more than just how to hit a ball.”