Rhode Island
Presenting the 2023 Providence Journal All-State Girls Tennis Team
The All-State Rhode Island High School Sports Awards is proud to announce the player of the year nominees for Girls Tennis. The winners will be announced during the live show on Thursday, June 27, 2024 at the Veterans Memorial Auditorium.
During the live show, athletes of the year in 29 sports will be honored. In addition, top teams, coaches and overall athletes will be honored as will a Courage Award winner. Nominated athletes who RSVP will receive a complimentary ticket to the event thanks to sponsors. Details on how additional tickets can be obtained will be available soon.
For more information about the show and to opt into email updates, visit the website and you can also follow it on Facebook.
The All-State Rhode Island High School Sports Awards show is part of the USA TODAY High School Sports Awards, the largest high school sports recognition program in the country. This year, one school from the area will win a $1,000 donation to its school’s athletic department through our School Spirit Contest. Details on how to vote for your school will be coming soon.
2023 Providence Journal All-State Girls Tennis Team
SINGLES
Bridget Casey
La Salle, Senior
Casey wrapped up her career for the Rams with another spectacular season, making her third straight appearance on the first team. Casey was the best player in Division I, going undefeated in the regular season and playoffs to help La Salle win its 10th straight title. She also made it to the semifinals of the state singles tournament before falling to the eventual champ.
Alexa Clark
South Kingstown, Sophomore
Clark was the most dominant player in Rhode Island from start to finish last fall. Her performance in the state singles tournament was jaw dropping, as she lost only four games in five matches en route to a 6-1, 6-0 win in the final. Clark wasn’t close to losing a match in D-II play and her role as the Rebels’ No. 1 was crucial in their run to the Division II team championship.
Ellie Coker-Dodman
East Greenwich, Sophomore
The sophomore had a special season for the Avengers, battling her way to the top of the order and then earning her first All-State nod. Coker-Dodman gave EG an anchor in their ladder and played in her first State Tournament, where a pair of 6-4, 6-1 wins advanced her to the quarterfinals before falling to La Salle star Bridget Casey. Expect big things from Coker-Dodman next fall.
Arianna DeThomas
La Salle, Senior
DeThomas dominated at No. 2 singles for the Rams all season and made a little history in the process, becoming what is believed to be the first No. 2 to advance to the state singles tournament final, where she suffered her lone loss of the season. DeThomas didn’t drop a set in D-I play or the postseason, closing her career by helping La Salle win its 10th straight team title.
Emma DiPardo
Providence Country Day, Senior
It’s the second straight first-team selection for DiPardo and the third overall. After the season she had, it’s not hard to see why. DiPardo was the best player in Division III and helped guide the Knights to the D-III team title. Her final state singles tournament was her best, as DiPardo reached the semifinals before falling to La Salle’s Arianna DeThomas.
Adriana Eaton
Moses Brown, Sophomore
After missing her freshman year due to an injury, Eaton was stellar in her debut season for the Quakers. Taking over the No. 1 spot vacated by older sister Kylie, Eaton was one of D-I’s best players all season long and proved as much in the state tournament where Eaton won her first two matches before falling to South Kingstown’s Alexa Clark, the eventual champ.
Ava Koczera-Kasem
Barrington, Junior
A first-team selection in doubles as a freshman and a second-team pick last fall, Koczera-Kasem earned her way to the first team this fall. Koczera-Kasem occupied the top spot for the Eagles and dominated, losing to only La Salle’s Bridget Casey. In the state singles tourney, Koczera-Kasem battled her way to the quarterfinals where she lost a three-setter to PCD’s Emma DiPardo.
Talus Nightingale
Portsmouth, Senior
Nightingale was a second-team selection the last two seasons, but finished her career at Portsmouth strong and made her way to the first team this fall. For the third straight year, Nightingale held strong atop the Patriots’ ladder and was among D-I’s best players. In the state singles tournament, she won her opening-round match before falling to SK’s Alexa Clark, the eventual state champ.
Julianna Steere
Ponaganset, Freshman
It was quite the debut for Steere, who becomes the first Chieftain to earn first-team honors since 2002. Steere — whose brother Josh is a two-time All-Stater — played beyond her years, besting everyone in Division II except state champ Alexa Clark of South Kingstown. In her first state tourney, Steere made a run to the quarterfinals and should be a favorite to challenge Clark next fall.
Elsa White
Mt. Hope, Senior
White wrapped up her terrific career for the Huskies with her third All State appearance and second straight as a member of the first team. White manned the top spot in the lineup and was one of Division I’s top players all season long. Her draw at the state tournament was less than friendly, but White won her first match before falling to La Salle’s Arianna DeThomas, the eventual runner-up.
DOUBLES
Eliza Barker, La Salle, Junior
Alisha Chowdhry, La Salle, Senior
It’s the second-straight first-team appearance for Chowdhry and first All-State spot for Barker, who came into the season as the state’s best doubles team and ended it that way. The duo went undefeated in the regular season and playoffs, helping the Rams win their 10th straight state title, and then cruised through the state doubles tournament with straight-set wins in all three matches.
Singles
Laurel Christensen, Mount St. Charles, Senior
Ashley Gagner, Smithfield, Senior
Ava Grant, Barrington, Senior
Geneva Lindsay, Cranston West, Senior
Kate Maloney, North Kingstown, Senior
Ella Nadukkudiyill, Moses Brown, Senior
Abigail Oxley, La Salle, Senior
Audrey Paxton, North Kingstown, Senior
Mia Renzulli, Prout, Junior
Grace Rochelle, Rogers, Junior
Doubles
Lara Gooding, Narragansett, Freshman
Ambujam Lohmann, Narragansett, Sophomore