When Jessica Stefan hits a tennis ball, you know it.

And the Boca Ciega junior was able to power her way to the 3A singles title in Orlando. But it was anything but easy. In her semifinal match, Jessica went down 3-6, 4-1 to defending state champion, and number one seed, Sasha Belaya of Viera. Stefan rallied to win the second set and then win in a third set tiebreaker.

It would set up the final against Jacksonville Atlantic Coast’s April Sanchez. Jessica won in straight sets with a 7-5, 6-1 victory.

“It was the best feeling in the world,” said the first-time state champion. “I worked so hard, especially in that semifinal match when I was down (a set and three games). On match point, when I finally won, it felt like everything paid off for me.”

“(Jessica) is a combination of humility off the court and relentless power on the court,” said Boca Ciega tennis coach Dave Doran, who encouraged Jessica to wear her gold medal to school after winning the state title. “I am so happy for her and all of her hard work is just being realized. I am proud of the way she has always carried herself every day.”

With her victory, Jessica added to the family collection. Her brother, Dan, who is now a sophomore at Vanderbilt, won back-to-back state championships at Bogey. Dan was also named the 2014 Florida Dairy Farmer’s Mr. Tennis and considered the number one recruit in the state of Florida his senior season in high school.

After Jessica won her state title, she made sure to get to her phone to make the call to her big brother.

“He was the first person I wanted to call,” said Stefan. “I was able to grow up and have him to practice with and always helping me through my matches and getting better.”

So, now, the question is very simple: can Jessica copy big brother and make it back-to-back state titles come the spring of 2018?

“People started asking me, ‘are going to be like your brother?’ said the Bogey junior with a laugh. “I figure I am already halfway there so I will definitely be trying to match him next year.”

For now, though, Jessica is happy to relish in the victory of her first state championship.