Isyanov takes second in the state after missing junior year with a back injury

York senior Lizzie Isyanov battles in the Class 2A state championship match in Arlington Heights.
Photo by Jeff Vorva

By Jeff Vorva

Those watching Lizzie Isyanov playing tennis in the Illinois High School State Tournament in late October saw a player on top of her game.

But those outside her inner circle probably had no idea what the senior York High School singles star had to go through to finish second in the state in Class 2A.

Ten months earlier, Isaynov was finally ready to start hitting the ball again after a long layoff that wiped out her junior high school season due to a stress fracture in her back.
After placing fifth in the state meet as a sophomore, Isyanov hoped her back would allow her to return for the Dukes, but it was a no-go.

“It was so frustrating,” she said. “I would play, and it would start hurting again, and I would take some time off, and I would play, and it would hurt again. Eventually, in January, it was fine, but I had to go really slow with it. I would play twice a week for 15 minutes with my dad (Eugene), and I was building back up the duration.”

She eventually started playing in United States Tennis Association tournaments again, but she said she wasn’t at the same level as before.

“There were shots that I would hit that I could have made prior to the injury,” she said. “It was really all mental, and I had to get past that.”

So, to see her back on the courts for York at the state tournament was a welcome relief for York teammates, coach, and fans. And it was especially a welcome relief for Isyanov.

Isyanov, who verbally committed to Illinois, rolled through five oppo-nents before dropping a tough 7-6
(8-6 tie-breaker), 6-4 loss to defending state champion Jessica Kovalcik of Plainfield North at Hersey High School in Arlington Heights.

The back was fine, but she rolled an ankle early in the title match and had to gut it out, keeping the battle close despite being down 4-1 in the first set.

“It feels amazing,” Isyanov said of making it to the finals. “It’s always been my dream to play in the state championship, and it’s been great. I went into the match with nothing to lose. I’m just so happy I’m able to play tennis because if you had asked me a year ago if I would be playing at this level again, I wouldn’t have believed it.”

York coach Kara Doillaske is amazed that after all of the time Isyanov missed, she was able to get this far. Isyanov’s second-place finish is the best in school history and the Dukes’ fourth-place showing was also a program best.

“She’s a fighter,” Dolaske said of Isyanov. “She doesn’t let things get to her and is always going for that win. What she did was not expected. Last year, when she thought she might be able to hit a little bit, there was a little hope, but there was no practice, and there were no matches. With doctor’s orders and the rest and rehab that she did, it was all on her during the offseason. You don’t get to be this good without playing every day all summer long and all winter long. I know she was hungry because she had to sit out last season.”

Doubles players CJ and Josie Coan also helped the Dukes’ lofty finish as they won three matches but were stopped in the consolation quarterfinals.

While Isyanov was on the shelf in 2023, CJ Coan took over at lead singles as a freshman, and she had a top-eight finish in the state tournament and figures to be a force the next two years.
Isyanov, meanwhile, cheered Coan on while mending in 2023. She liked being inside the fence in 2024.

“I was cheering at state, and it was really fun, but it was also sad because I wanted to be playing,” she said. “And this year was amazing. I’m grateful to have so many supportive friends.”

From left, CJ Coan, Lizzy Isyanov, and Josie Coan wear crowns after helping to lead the Dukes to their best state finish in the history of the program.
Photo by
Jeff Vorva