Survival of the fittest

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It was a fairly radical idea, especially for someone who has played tennis year-round since the age of four.

After a second consecutive top-25 finish at the state tennis tournament, Rosary junior Emily Reuland decided she needed to spend less time on the court to take her game to the next level.

Instead, she needed to devote more time to "working on her fitness."

"This summer, I focused mostly on cardiovascular stuff," said the Royals standout, who was 27-6 in her sophomore season. "I've been running everyday, doing a bunch of footwork things, haven't been playing as much tennis."

Last season, Reuland won a conference and sectional title, earning her a place on the Illinois High School Tennis Coaches Association All-State team.

Reuland posted a 4-2 record at state, losing in straight sets to the eventual fifth-place finisher and state runner-up. By season's end, it became clear what separated her from the state's elite.

"The top players can hit forever, and I'd find myself getting tired at the end of longer points, but they'd never get tired," Reuland said.

A typical day for Reuland this summer included a three-mile run, 10-minute jump-rope sessions and various calf-strengthening exercises. The mission: improve her quickness, stamina and court coverage.

"I'd never really run before until this summer," she said. "But I've been very dedicated. I can already feel the difference. I've noticed that I'm lasting a lot longer on the court, I don't get as tired at all anymore"

Dedication has never been an issue with Reuland, who opted against playing multiple sports for the grueling routine of clinics, private lessons and weekend tournaments.

"She's very passionate about the game, very motivated," Rosary coach John Tsang said. "She has the potential to play Division I."

"I love playing every other sport. I'm really athletic. But I've always preferred tennis," Reuland said.

Reuland's style of play has evolved over the years. Once primarily a baseline player who favored her forehand, she has improved her backhand and net play considerably during her prep career. Her deadliest shot, however, remains her inside-out forehand.

"Her forehand and her serve, when they're on, she's very hard to beat," Tsang said. "Her backhand has improved a lot since I've been working with her. And she'll be even better with improved court coverage and transition."

The college recruitment process began this summer in the form of college letters, but it will likely heat up next summer when college coaches will be allowed, per NCAA rules, to contact her via phone or face-to-face.

It's still early, but Reuland has a school at the top of her wish list.

"I'd love to go to Michigan State," she said. "I competed in a tennis tournament there every year for quite a while. ... It's such a beautiful campus."

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