For the past three years, the sister pair of Kelsey and Jacqueline Raynor have enjoyed top finishes in the tennis counties and states. With her older sister attending Marist College on a scholarship, would little sister Jacqueline be able to continue the Raynor legacy? Absolutely! Little sister is no longer so little. At 5’ 9” Jacqueline Raynor delivers devastating forehands and crushing backhands.
The Nassau County Tennis Tournament was held at Oceanside High School on Oct. 3 and 10. Jacqueline went into the tournament seeded third, so she received a first round bye. Her opening match was against an opponent from New Hyde Park. Jacqueline “Jax” Raynor showed why she was the number three seed. She overpowered her opponent by a score of 10-3. Her next round was against an opponent from Herricks and Jax was able to push forward to beat her 10-7.
The next rounds would all be the best two out of three sets. Jax easily handled her Farmingdale opponent with a score of 6-2, 6-2, earning All-State honors as a result, and a chance to play in the semi-finals against Syosset. This match was a battle with Jax coming out on top 7-6 (7-2), 6-2.
In the finals she had to face the number one player in the northeast (number 7 in the country), Blair Seidman of Jericho. After an exciting match that featured long rallies and several games going to deuce, Jax was unable to beat the top-ranked player.
Jacqueline Raynor made a tremendous showing in the county tournament, however, finishing second and earning a spot on the Nassau County All-State Team, which was going to the New York State Tennis Championship in Syracuse Nov. 6.
