top of page

The Ball's in

Their Court

 by Bailey Sharpmack, Staff Writer

As the 2017-18 Roxana High School tennis season kicks off, the dynamic duo of Haley Milazzo and Sara Kreutztrager are hungrier than ever to get to the State Finals.  Although Sara and Haley have only been doubles partners since their junior year, they have an unbreakable bond like no other.  Through the work ethic and positive attitudes that both girls possess, there is nothing that they can’t accomplish.

The Roxana Shells started off the season strong with a record of 6-0 for the 2017-18 season.  Seniors, Sara Kreutztrager and Haley Milazzo, stepped up into a bigger leadership role this year when former Senior Sydney Owsley graduated.  Although those shoes were going to be difficult to fill, Sara and Haley were fully capable.

​

Although the Roxana tennis season ends in fall, Sara and Haley’s season never stops.  The talent and technique that the duo has comes from countless hours of hitting in the off season, summer tournaments, and individual lessons. Last year, the girls were able to win their 2016 Conference Tournament.  With that in the back of their minds, the girls would love to achieve not only the Conference championship, but the State qualifier title also.  Sara Kreutztrager expands on what she wants to accomplish in her senior season, “My main goal this year is to get to State.  It really means a lot to be able to share this experience with one of my good friends.” With the senior season winding down quickly, the girls are trying to embrace every last moment they have as doubles partners; and the State finals would be a perfect end to a perfect high school tennis career.

​

Update: Sara Kreutztrager and Haley Milazzo qualified for State and placed in the top 24. The dynamic duo won two matches on the first day and one on the second day. Roxana has never had a doubles team make it this far in school history. The only person to ever make it this far for Roxana was Sydney Owsley, who went as an individual in 2016. Sara and Haley have yet to decide where their tennis career will carry them after graduation.

Some of us go about our days without having to worry about anything but the thoughts of, did I do my homework?  We take the little things for granted.  Allen Wright is fighting a battle most people won’t have to deal with for all of their lives.  He is one of the strongest people I have ever seen in my life. 

​

Allen was diagnosed with colon cancer.  He has been through multiple surgeries and is currently going through a chemotherapy.  Allen was just another teenager trying to get his homework done on time.  He had to grow up immensely and has to deal with a lot more than us. 

​

Since Allen’s diagnosis the community has banded together and helped him out incredibly.  We have all been here to donate because chemotherapy and these surgeries aren’t free.  We are all also here to help with emotional support for him.  Allen is fighting for his life, but with the help from the community and his strength we all believe that he can fight and overcome this battle.

KSDK's Feature Article on

Allen Wright,

Football is Family

The Fighter

Intro by Shaun Goforth, Staff Writer

bottom of page