Star tennis player Lili Kanev, who is currently ranked 97th in the country in the 16-and-under age group, made history this fall as the first Hackley girl to win first singles at NYSAIS. Lili demonstrates how hard work and dedication can lead to immense success; she is a great role model for female athletes at Hackley and beyond.
Although she is only a sophomore, this was Lili’s second time competing in the NYSAIS finals for first singles. During her freshman season, Lili was battling a pre-stress injury and was unable to perform at her best.
“I was pretty upset because I felt like there was a lot of pressure on me last year,” she said. “So this year, I felt that kind of pressure again, like I’m supposed to win this.”
Lili did not let the pressure get to her during the intense match. She won her first set 6-4 and then won her second set 6-2. To Lili, this match was not just about her; it was also a monumental moment for the Hackley sports program as a whole.
“I felt very proud that I could do something for the school, not just for myself,” she said.
Lili’s warm-up partner and teammate, junior Riya Monday, loved watching Lili succeed. She recognized how Lili’s character helped guide her to a championship win.
“She was really humble the whole season,” said Riya. “I was really happy for her.”
Lili began playing tennis at the age of two. At first, it was a fun bonding activity with her dad. However, as she got older, she fell in love with the sport and decided to compete at a higher level. Her ultimate goal has always been to rise to the highest level of her sport.
“I always had the same motive, which is to play in college and then go professional,” she said.
As her training became more frequent, Lili realized she had to make sacrifices to compensate for her busy schedule. This included sacrificing quality time with friends and missing out on some potential family vacations. While many teenagers might feel upset about missing so many activities, Lili has a different view of her situation.
“It makes me feel proud of myself, and it drives me forward to play better and compete at a higher level,” she said.
A large part of tennis that many people overlook is the mental side of the sport. Every elite player has had instances where they’ve been down on themselves. For Lili, this moment was her pre-stress injury last year, which took her out of training and competing for a month. Although this was her first serious injury, she refused to give up. Lili viewed this setback as motivation to work even harder.
“In every sport, nobody is always at their peak and is always striving to be better, and that helps me stay motivated and not give up,” she said.
Lili is not only a championship winner but also a leader and inspiration for her teammates. They praise her extensive talent and cheerful attitude, which help bring the entire team together. When Lili finishes her match, she always cheers for her teammates instead of taking a break.
“I would definitely consider her a leader,” said Riya. “She is always there when anyone wins or loses, and she gives very stable advice.”
Now that the school season is over, Lili’s tournament travels have just begun. Over Thanksgiving break, she will be in Minnesota for indoor nationals, then Florida for the Orange Bowl, an international tournament, and then winter nationals in Colorado.
