Youngberg hits another goal: she's ISU-bound

St. Charles East senior Stefanie Youngberg started playing tennis at 5 years old, and as she grew up and realized she was pretty good at the game, she didn't shy away from dreaming big.

"My goal was to play Wimbledon and be a professional," Youngberg said. "As I got a little older I saw more realism, but I definitely was hoping college tennis was in my future. I want to be known as someone who got a tennis scholarship."

Youngberg can add Division I tennis player to what she's known for, a pretty long list that also includes:

• The all-time Saints leader in wins at No. 1 singles and doubles (112).

• The IHSA's Pitchford Award winner, an honor given to her for displaying the best sportsmanship and leadership at the state tournament.

• A ninth place finish in this fall's state doubles tournament with her partner Erin Bowman.

Youngberg will be taking her considerable tennis skills to Illinois State next fall, where she will play for coach Chris Hoover and the Redbirds while majoring in education.

Youngberg visited Illinois State in the summer and said it quickly became her top choice. She also considered Northern Illinois and Bradley, among others.

"I didn't want to go too far," said Youngberg. who wants to teach first grade and coach tennis. "I really liked the atmosphere when I first went there."

Youngberg is going back to ISU in January to meet her teammates and watch a match. The college tennis season is the opposite of the girls high school season, with dual meets and tournaments held in the spring instead of the fall.

Youngberg will receive a full ride scholarship beginning with her sophomore year. The Redbirds have already committed one scholarship to a player from Germany and coach Hoover is in Europe trying to fill the other scholarship. If he doesn't, it will go to Youngberg immediately.

While she has a lot to look forward to at Illinois State, Youngberg won't soon forget how much fun her high school career has been.

"The (memories) that stick out most are freshman and senior year," Youngberg said. "Freshman just starting at high school and being on a team, it was all a new experience. Senior year, winning the Pitchford, top 10 at state, a new school record. I'm really going to miss all the girls on my team, and I'm going to miss (St. Charles North's) Annemijin (Koenen), we got to be really good friends."