A Star is Born: Century Freshman Bella Filippi’s Breakthrough Season
Bella Filippi’s journey to becoming the Carroll County 2024 girls tennis Player of the Year is a testament to dedication, talent, and a healthy dose of self-belief. Long before she was dominating the courts, Bella was just a girl having fun playing tennis once a week at Liberty. It was around seventh grade that her family encouraged her to take the sport more seriously, leading her to private lessons and clinics. This was the turning point, the moment Bella transformed from a casual player into a competitive force.
Stepping onto the varsity tennis scene at Century as a freshman, Bella’s arrival was nothing short of sensational. She stormed through the regular season undefeated, showcasing her dominance with numerous 6-0, 6-0 sweeps. Her crowning achievement came at the county singles tournament, where she battled through an intense, nail-biting match against defending champion Daphnee Whitmore, ultimately claiming victory with a score of 6-4, 6-2, 10-7.
This wasn’t just any win; it was a statement, a declaration that a new era of tennis was dawning in Carroll County.
- Bella Filippi had a breakthrough season in 2024, becoming the Carroll County girls tennis Player of the Year.
- Her journey from casual player to competitive force began with private lessons and clinics in seventh grade.
- As a freshman at Century, Bella went undefeated in the regular season and won the county singles tournament.
- The key to Bella’s success was playing her own game and style, focusing on her strengths rather than trying to adapt to others.
- Bella’s confidence in her abilities and strategic mindset were crucial in her victory over defending champion Daphnee Whitmore.
- Bella emphasizes the importance of the supportive team environment at Century in making her first season memorable.
The Key to Bella’s Success
So, what was the secret to Bella’s remarkable success? Was it all about the rigorous training, the private lessons, the off-court dedication? While these factors undoubtedly played a role, Bella identifies the key to her dominance as playing her own game, her own style.
“I figured out a way how to play my way instead of how other people play and adapting to them,” she explained. “So I played more of my game instead of their games which helped me a lot.”
This approach was particularly evident in her clash with Whitmore. Bella understood that a confrontation was inevitable, and she prepared for it by focusing on her strengths, not trying to mirror her opponent’s style. This strategic mindset, this unwavering confidence in her own abilities, became a defining characteristic of Bella’s game.
More Than Just a Champion
Beyond the scores, the championships, and the accolades, Bella highlights the importance of the team environment at Century. She credits the supportive and positive atmosphere fostered by her teammates and coach for making her first season so memorable.
“What made the season better was my friends and how positive the environment was,” Bella shared. “Everyone was so kind and encouraging.”
This supportive environment was particularly vital during those challenging moments when the pressure of competition threatened to overwhelm her. Century coach Courtney Mathias played a crucial role in helping Bella navigate these moments.
“She’d comfort me and be like, ‘Look at this point right now and where you are at, so there is no need to stress out,'” Bella explained. “She is very positive and kind, and she always knew how to calm me down when I was stressed during a tight match.”
The Power of Self-Belief
The ability to stay calm and focused amidst the pressure is an essential skill for any athlete. Bella, however, recognizes that this is a constant work in progress.
“There’s times where I lose my own mentality and I’ll be lost in a game,” she admitted. “[But] keep fighting and you’ll end up winning. In the county tournament, I was very nervous about that game and I was getting stressed out while playing. Then, we reached the third set for a tiebreaker and that’s where I had to really stay positive, stay calm and play my game. When I play stressed out and upset, I won’t play good.
“I just thought positively of myself. I knew I could win. I’ve been trained and I knew that I was capable of winning.”
This unwavering self-belief, this ability to tap into her own inner strength, is what allowed Bella to overcome the pressure and achieve her remarkable accomplishments.
A Bright Future
With an MVP-caliber season behind her, Bella has her sights set on an even brighter future. She’s eager to build upon her success, to continue refining her game and pushing her limits.
“At least now I know I’m prepared because I know what the season is like and how the other players play,” she said. “[I just need to] be smart when I play.”
With a year of experience under her belt, a supportive team behind her, and a burning desire to succeed, Bella Filippi is poised to make an even bigger impact on the Carroll County tennis scene. Her future is bright, and her journey, filled with determination, self-belief, and a love for the game, is just beginning.
All-County First Team
The 2024 Carroll County girls tennis season was a showcase of talent, with several players and teams making their mark on the local scene.
Grace Maerten, Liberty, Senior
Grace Maerten was a versatile force for the Liberty Lions, seamlessly transitioning between singles and doubles play. Her adaptability and skill earned her a spot on the county mixed doubles championship team alongside Louis Major.
Sydney Mossman, South Carroll, Junior
Sydney Mossman excelled as the Cavaliers’ No. 2 singles player, but her true brilliance shone through in mixed doubles, where she partnered with Michael Mooney. This dynamic duo fell just short of the county title but went on to claim the 1A state championship, solidifying their position as a force to be reckoned with.
Katy Resh, Manchester Valley, Senior
Katy Resh was the driving force behind Manchester Valley’s success, leading the Mavericks to a co-championship title. She secured a third-place finish at the county tournament, displaying her resilience and determination by rallying from behind to defeat South Carroll’s Iryna Kovalenko in a thrilling three-set match.
Daphnee Whitmore, Westminster, Senior
Daphnee Whitmore, the 2023 Girls Tennis Player of the Year, was a formidable competitor, finishing as the girls singles runner-up at the county tournament. Her only regular-season county loss came against the rising star, Bella Filippi.
Caroline Aliftiras and Audrey Lillycrop, South Carroll
Caroline Aliftiras and Audrey Lillycrop formed an unstoppable doubles duo, going undefeated in the regular season. They faced a minor setback in the county tournament finals, but that didn’t deter them from dominating the playoffs. They cruised through the regional and state tournaments without dropping a single set, ultimately claiming the Class 1A state championship.
Madison McGregor and Talula Castanzo, Manchester Valley
Madison McGregor and Talula Castanzo were the only team to break Caroline Aliftiras and Audrey Lillycrop’s winning streak, emerging victorious in the county doubles tournament finals with a score of 7-6, 6-3. They continued their dominance at the 2A West Region I tournament, winning all three matches to secure a trip to states.
The Carroll County girls tennis scene is brimming with talent, and these standout players are a testament to the dedication and passion for the sport that thrives in the region. The future looks bright for these young athletes, and they are sure to continue inspiring and captivating audiences with their skills and sportsmanship.
