For the past few seasons, Chesterton’s girls tennis team has been a family affair.
Senior Sunny Lee and her JJ, a sophomore, are one of two pairs of sisters, along with Bobbi and Meg Modesto, who helped lead the Times No. 3 Trojans to their second sectional title in the last three years.
Chesterton (17-2) takes on state No. 8 South Bend St. Joseph’s in the semifinals of the LaPorte regional today.
The Lees and the Modestos are just two of the pairs of sisters to play on Chesterton’s varsity squad in recent years.
“My daughters, Elizabeth and Margaret, were on the team, the Sykora sisters, the Lees and the Modestos,” said Chesterton coach Gretchen Shinn. “So it’s no strange thing. Sometimes when a sport starts in a family you just keep it going.”
The Lee sisters, who each put up 2-1 records during the sectional tournament, both said that they appreciated having a family member on the team to provide support.
“She gives me all the support that I need,” Sunny said. “I think it’s just great having her around because I see her all the time. She a family member on the team that helps me relax.”
Sunny, who is in her third year on varsity, has comprised a 12-7 record this season. She began the year playing No 3 singles, but moved to No. 2 doubles in the middle of the season.
“She knew that it was for the team, and I think she understood that, and of course she’s always going to do what is best for the team,” Shinn said. “She’s a team player.”
Sunny had played doubles during her junior season, and she said the transition back to doubles was not difficult.
“It was just getting to know my partner more and supporting the other singles players,” Sunny said. “It was a different transition between talking with myself and talking with my teammate.”
JJ has put together a record of 15-4 while playing at No. 1 doubles all season.
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