Four-time defending state champion Baylor took another step toward a fifth straight crown Thursday with a 7-0 win against visiting St. Benedict.
In the Spring Fling state semis Tuesday in Murfreesboro, Baylor will face the Harpeth Hall-St.
Agnes winner, while GPS takes on Hutcheson. The semis winner meet
Wednesday for the state championship.
Baylor 7, St. Benedict 0
Drew Hawkins (Bay) def. Samantha Sargent, 6-0,6-0
Ashton Jenne (Bay) def. Monika Milzek, 6-0, 6-1
Presley Thomas (Bay) def. Brooke Barton, 6-2, 6-0
Lauren Carelli (Bay) def. Lauren Neuhoff, 6-0, 6-0
Lilly Mooney (Bay) def. Mary Granger, 6-0, 6-2
Landie McBrayer (Bay) def. Ashley Holdsworth, 6-0, 6-1
Doubles
Hawkins-Hannah Kleban (Bay) def. Sargent-Granger, 8-0
Jenne-Thomas (Bay) def. Milczek-Barton, 8-1
Carelli-Mooney (Bay) def, Neuhoff-Koch, 8-0
Record: Baylor (11-5)
For two of the best A-AA teams in the state and with a spot in next week’s state semifinals on the line it came down to doubles between Notre Dame and Boyd Buchanan Thursday at the Brained Courts.
After three hours of singles matches and the Irish leading 3-2, the No.1 Irish team of Region 4 champ Sarah Joyce and Sarah Faith Ingell posted an 8-0 win against Region 3 doubles champ Katie Delay and Makenna Thomas for the match-clinching fourth team point (4-2) and the celebration began.
“It was a great team win and I am so proud of each one of you,” Notre Dame coach Nancy Fox told her players shortly after the conclusion of the match.
“This was a tough match all the way down the line and I can’t imagine there are too many teams in the state better than Boyd Buchanan.”
In singles, Notre Dame claimed wins at Nos. 3-4-5 (Mary Margaret Heywood, Jessica Moore, Bowie Strozak), while the Bucs gained their singles at No.2 from Makenna Thomas. In the final singles match, the Bucs DeLay edged Joyce in a long three set match, 7-6 (10-8), 0-6, 7-5 to force the match to doubles.
Third Trip to Spring Fling: For Notre Dame senior Sarah Joyce, it’s another shot at a team state title.
“I really didn’t know what to expect my freshman year and to win it was great,” stated Joyce who with Ingell will also play in the state doubles tourney May 21-22 after the team competition.
“I probably appreciate earning a spot in the state tournament as a team this year since I am a senior more than when I was a freshman or last year. It’s my last time to play high school tennis with my teammates.”
*Notre Dame 4, Boyd Buchanan 2
Katie DeLay (Boyd Buchanan) def. Sarah Joyce, 7-6 (10-8), 0-6, 7-5
Makenna Thomas (Boyd Buchanan) def. Sarah Faith Ingell, 6-2, 6-3
Mary Margaret Haywood (ND) def. Christiana Amos, 6-0, 7-5
Jessica Moore (ND) def. Taylor Monroe, 6-2, 6-1
Bowie Strozak (ND) def. Libby Reynolds, 6-3, 6-2
Doubles
Joyce-Ingell (ND) def. DeLay-Thomas, 8-0
contact B.B. Branton at william.branton@comcast.net