Miller qualifies for 3rd straight tourney with different partner
By Tim Wester
Sports Correspondent
Union Grove senior girls tennis standout Allie Miller doesn’t have a state championship, nor was she seeded at the WIAA Division 1 State tournament in Madison Thursday, Oct. 13.
But what she possesses is a very particular set of skills that have allowed her to qualify for the state tournament in doubles competition three straight years with three different doubles partners – a feat that no other has accomplished at Union Grove High School.
“I don’t think anybody can match what she has done,” Union Grove coach Mike Brannen said. It’s never been done before, and I don’t think it will ever be done again. It’s quite the accomplishment.”
Miller and new partner Chloe Woods punched their ticket to state after knocking off Erin Dobrzynski and Samantha Ramsey of New Berlin Eisenhower 6-3, 6-4 in their first match at the Brookfield East Sectional Thursday, Oct. 6.
The memorable victory added Woods to Miller’s historic list of state qualifying partners that also includes Lauren Tuma in 2014 and Alyssa Leffler in 2015.
Last year, Miller and Leffler won their first two matches at state and finished 11th overall.
“It’s really a great accomplishment to make it to state three years in a row,” Miller said. “I didn’t know that I was the first person to make it to state with three different partners until coach (Mike) Brannen told me after our qualifying win at sectionals. It’s a great honor.”
The honor is shared by Woods, who developed a synergy with Miller last winter.
“Chloe and I just know what we are going to do, and when we tell each other what we’re going to do before each point, we know where each other is going to be at all times,” Miller said. “Chloe and I practiced together in the offseason and got to know each other’s game. When the season came around, we knew we wanted to play together.”
The duo’s offseason connection helped alleviate pressure Miller experienced while trying to return to Madison this year.
“There was a lot of pressure making it back considering I have made it the past year after doing well at state last year,” Miller said. “It just feels good to make it back.”
So what’s Miller’s secret to doubles success?
It starts with Miller’s pride in playing doubles tennis, along with a strong serve and volley game that is ideal for doubles play.
“We call her Ace Miller because she is such a good server for a smaller girl,” Brannen said. “She is good at the net, good at the baseline, and good with the serve. The combination makes her a really good doubles player.”
“I consider my volleying to be one of my strengths,” Miller said. “I like to serve and volley, which is good for doubles play. I would say I’m just more comfortable playing doubles.”
Miller’s comfort in doubles tennis started at age six when she started playing the sport.
Now 11 years into her tennis career, Miller spends her offseason playing at Racine Tennis Club and receiving private tennis lessons on indoor and outdoor courts with a private coach. On top of those efforts, Miller has also relied on her older sister Ashley for support.
Ashley Miller also played tennis at Union Grove in 2012 before playing college tennis at UW-Whitewater.
“Everyone in my family has played tennis, including my sister Ashley who has really helped me a lot,” Miller said. “She has been a great practice partner, but we never play against each other because we are both really competitive and would probably argue.”
Allie would like to follow her sister’s lead and play college tennis, but does not have an institution picked out yet.
Right now, Miller just wants to make the most of her final high school tennis experience.
“We just want to make the best of our trip to state and try our best and just see what happens,” Miller said.
With three straight trips to Madison, what more could a high school tennis player ask?
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