MSU commit Isabella Portnoy chasing state title in high school tennis return
Michigan State commit and Okemos junior won a regional title at No. 1 singles on May 15.
Isabella Portnoy spent a while debating her options for this spring. The Okemos junior and four-star tennis prospect weighed playing another season of travel tennis or returning to play high school with close friend Isabelle Hult. Ultimately, the appeal of playing one last spring with Hult, who is a senior, was the biggest draw.
"I knew (Isabella ) wanted me to (play) but she never pressured me into anything," Portnoy said. "At first I wasn't going to play. Then part of me was like maybe I should since I have one more year with her.
She didn't persuade me in any way. It was all me deciding I wanted to spend one more year with her. " That decision has been rewarding for Portnoy, who has had a lot of fun playing with Hult and also enjoyed being back in the team environment of high school tennis.
The LSJ girls athlete of the week winner has also built on the success she had as a freshman when she was named first team all-state in Division 1 by the Michigan High School Tennis Coaches Association and reached the quarterfinals at No. 1 singles at the state finals. Portnoy, who committed to continue her tennis career at Michigan State in April, finished as the regional champion at No.