Free State High senior Emily Wang was the dominant tennis player in Kansas tennis the last two years.

Yet as she signed a letter of intent to play at the University of Illinois on Friday in the school library, she admitted that being No. 1 brought some unexpected pressure.

âÂÂI think that as you play, thereâÂÂs some challenges you face,â she said. âÂÂIt helped me dealing with pressure. This year, coming back as the state champ I was the one to beat, I guess. So it helped me deal with that.âÂÂ

When she plays for the Illini next year, that pressure will have helped her prepare for college tennis.

Well, that and the thousands of matches sheâÂÂs played the past six years.

Wang has been playing year-round tennis since she was 11, which played a huge part in the success sheâÂÂs had in high school. FSHS coach Jon Renberger, who also coached 2001 FSHS graduate Laura Gravino, who now plays at Illinois State, was on hand and gave just a sample of WangâÂÂs impressive high school career.

âÂÂWhat sheâÂÂs meant to our team,â Renberger said. âÂÂIs not only is she a two-time 6A state champ, she was our team MVP the last three years and a four-time state qualifier. And she never lost a match in Sunflower League play.

âÂÂClearly, sheâÂÂs been a dominant player in tennis, not only in Kansas, but in the entire Midwest.âÂÂ

Wang, who carries a 3.4 GPA, walloped the competition at this yearâÂÂs state tournament, losing only two games during the two-day event. This was in addition to being named an all-American by the National High School Tennis All-American Foundation in September.

Her club coach, Phil Baillos, who works with her at Indian Creek Racquet Club in Overland Park, isnâÂÂt surprised by her success. After all, heâÂÂs seen her put in the work on the court.

âÂÂIâÂÂve only worked with Emily for two or three years now,â Baillos said. âÂÂFor most girls itâÂÂs a four- or five-year process. But sheâÂÂs worked really hard in that time to become the player she is.âÂÂ

It was the Illinois coaching staff and its Midwest locale that sold Wang on the school. Plus, the Illini are consistently ranked among the top 30 teams in the country.

âÂÂI really loved the school and the coaches,â Wang said. âÂÂThey had a lot to offer.âÂÂ

With Wang in Champaign, and Gravino in Normal, Renberger said he may be spending some time on the road for the next few years.

âÂÂOh absolutely,â Renberger said. âÂÂI can see a road trip or two in my foreseeable future.âÂÂ

Besides, heâÂÂd hate to miss out on how good Wang gets.

âÂÂItâÂÂll be amazing to see what kind of player she becomes in the next couple years,â Renberger said.