The Grandview Heights Bobcats girls tennis team took the court Wednesday, Sept. 30, at Columbus Academy in Gahanna for the opening round of the OHSAA sectional tournament.

The Bobcats closed the regular season strong. Grandview Heights posted consecutive 5-0 shutouts over Whitehall-Yearling on Sept. 14 and Westland on Sept. 15, according to the Grandview Heights athletics website. The team also beat Bishop Hartley 4-0 on Sept. 8.

Senior Ella Knouff leads the lineup at No. 1 singles. Knouff, the program's August Athlete of the Month, held a 4-3 record as of mid-September and went 2-0 with back-to-back 8-0 shutout victories at the Kinnard Tennis Invitational earlier this season.

Head coach Doug Page said in the school's athlete-of-the-month feature that Knouff faces opponents' top players every match "with relentless tenacity, aggressive play, and an exceptional work ethic."

Knouff set her sights on the postseason in that same September feature. "Some goals I have for the rest of the season is to continue to have fun with my team and enjoy my last year, but also do well at sectionals and hopefully move onto the second round again!" she said.

Three seniors suit up for the Bobcats' postseason run: Knouff, Maura Yates and Maya Brammel, all honored on Senior Night on Sept. 16. Millie Chrstos and Mara Murphy round out the singles lineup. The doubles rotation has included Yates, Brammel, Elin Amicon, Ellie Callif, Emma Mischinek, Harper Cunningham and Claire Grime at various points this season.

The Central District sectionals began Wednesday across the region, according to OhioTennisZone. Northeast and Southwest district sectionals started earlier in the week.

Results were not yet available at publication. Players who advance at sectionals move on to the district tournament, though dates and locations have not been announced.