BOULDER – Boulder High School was given a gift when Lily Chitambar walked through the doors the first day of her freshman year.
She has been playing tennis since she was four years old and reached the highest level in Colorado high school sports in 2021 when she won the Class 5A girls tennis state championship to cap her junior season.
“Tennis is currently my main passion and I enjoy most aspects of it,” Chitambar said. “My approach has always been the same – I fight hard for every shot and try my best in every match. My goal has always been to try to do well at state, and it is still the same this year.”
Now the reigning state champion, the hunger for a state title is still alive within Chitambar and she is not satisfied with just one championship. She is attacking each match in her senior season and will be looking to defend her title at Gates Tennis Center in three weeks. She has been preparing for this moment since she was just a child and looks more than ready to meet her goal.
Chitambar has been playing this sport for most of her life, as this is one of her favorite things to do. She has continued to work on her game and won’t settle for just okay. She is a competitor and will do whatever it takes to win. She went 12-3 her junior season and is well on her way to doing even better as a senior.
“I do think I have matured as a player,” Chitambar said. “I have worked on my game in practices at my club and tournaments since then. I will always support my teammates, but I think we all help each other, and all contribute to leading the team.”
Chitambar is unselfish and cares about her teammates. Even with all the success she has had, she still has made it a point to care and cheer for her teammates. The Panthers placed third at state in 2021, and hope to improve on that finish this spring.
Tennis has brought Chitambar so much more than just competition and she has realized what truly matters, taking the time to put in as much effort as she can and never failing to give her best effort.
“The greatest joy that tennis has given me is playing a tough match and figuring out what it takes to win,” Chitambar said. “Also, having the opportunities to travel to new places and meeting so many great people and making close relationships through tennis.”
“I am the tennis player that I am today because I have been practicing year-round for many years and played in so many tournaments,” Chitambar said. “Also, If I didn’t have the support and help from my parents, coaches, friends, high school teammates and club teammates, I wouldn’t be where I am today. I get all my motivation and determination from all of them. I am grateful for all the support.”
Boulder head coach Elizabeth Korevaar added, “Lily leads by example. She is wonderful to coach because she listens and tries strategies her coaches give her. The other players cannot help but learn from her example.”
Chitambar has continued to grow on and off the court. She hopes that growth will result in a state title defense on May 12-14.