COLUMBUS — Nancy Wiegand's dream of winning a state tennis championship seemed improbable five months ago after the 18-year-old Badin senior suffered a serious back injury.

        But defying the odds, Wiegand teamed with her 15-year-old sister, Kylee, and won the Division II state doubles title Saturday at Ohio State University.

        The Wiegands defeated Jennifer Dektas and Laura Leutzinger of Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy, 6-4, 6-2, in the championship match.

        In the morning semifinals, CHCA's doubles team of Shaden Dowiatt and Lindsay Hanto lost to the Wiegands, 4-6, 6-3, 6-1.

        Badin coach Mollie Marot was as shocked by the championship as the Wiegands were. All three cried during the awards ceremony.

        “About two hours before the tournament meeting four weeks ago, the parents (Dan and Susie) called and gave me permission to enter Nancy in the tournament,” Marot said.

        “They were as concerned as I was, but I went ahead and entered them. I thought they could win the sectional, but I wasn't sure how they would do in the district.”

        The Wiegands went 12-0 in tournament play.

        “I wasn't going to play this season, but after I warmed Kylee up for a match the last week of the season, I decided to play doubles that day,” said Nancy, a two-time state singles qualifier. “My back felt alright and I decided to try.”

        Kylee, one of the better Division II tennis players in Cincinnati this season, was planning to enter the singles competition.

        “I never dreamed when we started that it would end this way,” Kylee said. “It all came together at the district when we beat Dektas and Leutzinger.”

        Despite the possibility of reinjuring her back, Nancy was aggressive during Saturday's two matches. Kylee remained consistent, rarely making an unforced error.

        “Miami (Ohio) had made an offer (to play collegiately), but after I hurt my back, they told me maybe next year,” Nancy said. “There's a couple of big tournament during the winter that I may play and get noticed.”

        Kylee plans to play singles next year at Badin.

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