Jefferson High School tennis coach Eliza McLaughlin created the “Panther Tough” award to “recognize a player who exemplified physical and mental toughness during the season, specifically when overcoming a particularly challenging situation.” As the JHS tennis season wound down this spring, though, McLaughlin was discouraged about finding a recipient for the award in 2024.
Then, the State B/C tournament happened. And “suddenly,” McLaughlin said, “Bailee showed us all what Panther Tough looks like.”
Sophomore Bailee Silvonen had posted some quiet successes during her second year on the team. While her record as the team’s number-one singles player was an unremarkable 16-16, McLaughlin is quick to point out that those matches were all against opponents’ top players, many of them juniors and seniors. Silvonen set two school records during the season, and took the first place trophy at the 2024 Panther Open, Jefferson’s home tournament.
