Sectionals-First Day

Singles

                                    1^st round               2^nd round                3^rd round

Doubles    

       1^st round               2^nd round

Second Day

Singles

                                  Quarterfinals        Elimination Rd.      Seeding Round

Doubles    

     Quarterfinals          Semifinals           Seeding Round

   Quarterfinals       Elimination Rd.       Seeding Round

Summary

Singles

We had a great day on day one of sectionals resulting in a 10-1 record and advancing 6 of our 7 girls to day 2. For us this was huge. We knew our singles would be challenged in the first round and we loved how both Willards came out strong to begin their matches. This carried them on to the second round and helped them grab another big win respectively. Both Katie and Kari played tough opponents in their last round of day one. Their sheer will and determination were components in both matches

Day two had a different feel for both Kari and Katie. They started the day playing very skilled seeded players from Chesapeake and Waverly. Little did they know that those matches wouldn’t even be the most important. Since they both lost, they ended up playing each other in the elimination round. This was difficult for both girls, both coaches and their mother. Neither wanted to win or lose. To quote their mother, Kim Cook, “It has been a mentally and emotionally draining day for all of us.” Kari will move on as the 6^th seed from the Southeast, while her sister will be there to support her in any way she can.

Doubles

Our first doubles team of Lydia Linton and Chloe Sollars had a great first three rounds of sectionals, only losing two games. Thus, qualifying them for the District tournament. The quarterfinals found them matched up against the number 1 seed and state qualifiers from last year, the Hoffman twins. They fought hard but couldn’t find the right spots for the ball inside the lines. Then, during the seeding match, there were obvious effects from the previous match that showed. They were out of sorts and never got themselves together. We are extremely proud of their accomplishments over the season and look forward to a successful District showing,

Our second doubles team was easily the surprise of the tournament. Most second doubles teams get ousted in the early rounds by much better teams. We thought Amber and Verena had a good draw and could make it to the second day but we were unsure. After a fairly easy first two rounds, they played the 3^rd seeded team from Notre Dame. The speed of the game increase dramatically for them and it took an entire set for them to become comfortable in the change of pace. To begin the second set, Amber and Verena started strong with a 2-1 lead and even had a 3-2 lead after the third change over. They were even one point away from a 4-1 lead. Unfortunately, little mistakes gave Notre Dame all they needed to capitalize and pull away in the second set. They played their best tennis against a very strong Miami Trace 1^st doubles team. After losing a lead in the first set, they bore down and eked out a 6-4 win. Most of the second set was downhill from there. They capitalized on mistakes and won 6-0 to qualify for Districts as a second doubles team. They were emotionally physically exhausted from the last and match and led to their poor play in the seeding round against Unioto. They had their chances but just ran out of energy and steam.

The 1^st doubles team will be the 4^th seed at districts, with second doubles team grabbing the 6^th seed.