Campbell Hayes Signs To Play Tennis At Illinois College, Teamed Up With Amelia Hill In Doubles At State Meet  

EDWARDSVILLE - Campbell Hayes, a tennis player at Edwardsville High who advanced to the third round of the doubles consolation bracket at the state Class 2A tournament with her partner, Amelia Hill, signed a letter of intent to play for Illinois College in Jacksonville recently.

Hayes and Hill finished third in the Edwardsville Sectional to qualify for state, then won in the first round of the state tournament before being relegated to the consolation bracket, where they both won in the second round of the bracket before being eliminated in the third round, but both enjoyed a very stellar season for the Tigers.

In her post-ceremony interview, Hayes had an easy decision to play for the Lady Blues as they were the only school that recruited her.

"The Illinois College coach (Scott Weakley) messaged me," Hayes said, "and one of my teammates from two years ago (Alyssa Wise) went there. We went on a tour of the place, and I really, really liked it. Now, I'm going there."

Hayes plans on majoring in biology, with a minor in business, with a goal of being a pediatric dentist after graduation.

She had a very good experience at the state tournament with Hill, and played well throughout their stay.

"It was very, very fun," Hayes said, "and I was so excited to get to do it with my doubles partner, Amelia. because she's a great doubles partner. We worked really well together. on the court, and I'm going to miss her a lot."

Hayes is basically a self-made player who works hard on the court, and Tigers coach Dave Lipe is very proud of her accomplishments and her signing to play for the Blues.

"It's a great honor for Campbell and her family," Lipe said. "She's been a fantastic player here for four years. She started basically as a beginner as a freshman. I talked her into coming out for tennis; her mom was in tennis lessons, and I said 'Isn't your daughter going to be a freshman? I hope she comes out for tennis.' She came out and tried the adult lessons through the Edwardsville (Parks and Recreation Department).

"And then, she came out for the team, and just stuck through it. She's an exceptional learner, and a fantastic listener. She left a prodigiously positive effect on our program. The family's been fantastic; you can see the grandparents, siblings, and everybody out here. So, it's been a great run for Campbell. I'm really optimistic about her impending success at Illinois College."

"I think it's going to be a great fit for her," Lipe continued. "She's joining Alyssa there, who's already had a huge impact on their program. So, I think both girls are going to have fun."

Being a good listener and hard worker will serve Hayes well on and off he court.

"Yes," Lipe said. "You're not going to change who she is. She's a great learner, fantastic listener, and a hard worker. That's who she will always be."

Lipe's favorite memory of Hayes as a player will be her qualification for the state tournament with Hill.

"I think my favorite memory of Campbell would be her qualifying for state this year," Lipe said, "being very dominant in her quarterfinal match, and just watching her progress through the years. We play a lot of top opponents, and about halfway through the season, she had played a lot of tough, close matches and lost her share of matches. But she really turned in around from that point forward. So that's my favorite memory, and also her development and her improvement throughout the season this year."

Lipe is definitely looking forward to seeing Hayes play at Illinois College next season.

"Absolutely," Lipe said. "I'm very optimistic about her success there. She is a great kid, and she will have a great career at Illinois College."

For her part, Hayes' favorite memory of playing for the Tigers involved the trips to suburban Chicago to play against the top competition.

"My favorite memory is just traveling up to Chicago on the weekends," Hayes said, "or Fridays, and playing with the team, and the hotel rooms."

She's also looking ahead to playing at the next level at Illinois College.

"I'm very excited to improve," Hayes said, "and to see what I get to do."

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