The boys tennis team finished the season by winning the IHSA 1A State Championship at Palatine High School May 29-31 for the second consecutive year. The team previously won the title in 2024 and 2018. 

Five members of U-High’s varsity team qualified, scoring a total of 38 points to secure the state championship. A total of 138 teams qualified for state. 

Prior to the state tournament, the team competed at sectionals where they won the IHSA 1A Sectionals Championship. 

The U-High individual placements at state are:

• Krish Khanna and Arjun Sawhney, doubles, second place
• Dash Smith, singles, third place

Krish, a senior and captain, and Arjun, a sophomore, have been doubles partners for two years and were able to build on the camaraderie and teamwork they had built last year. Krish and Arjun won state for doubles last year and had an undefeated record prior to state.

Krish is proud of the supportive team environment maintained this season, which he believes is a product of the returning members who were able to set the tone for the team and carry the momentum from their state win last spring.

He mentioned the match against Latin, where the team came back in the last doubles match to win.

“Seeing every person on every court fighting not just for our own matches but for each other and then coming on top in the end was one of the coolest things,” Krish said.

Krish also attributes the success of the team to the new members who brought new energy and love for the game to the lineup.

“We were blessed with a ton of talented freshmen,” Krish said. 

Ninth grader Nick Gulyavev gained confidence and motivation playing doubles on the varsity lineup this year alongside fellow ninth grader Chris Williams. 

“I’m definitely proud of my improvement in playing doubles,” Nick said.