Spring Fling Tennis – Day II: Baylor Girls Are A Five-Peat

MURFREESBORO - For Baylor girls coach Dustin Kane, it’s a new group of talented players every four years ready to make their mark on the prep tennis world. 

 

Wednesday afternoon, the young - no seniors, only one junior in the top six - but talented Red Raiders – defeated Hutchison, 4-1, to claim the school’s fifth straight state title and ninth overall since 1993. 

 

Prior to the girls’ final, MUS edged Baylor, 4-0, for the D-II AA boys’ crown.

 

"I told the girls before the match that we have been preparing for a run at a state title since August and go out and let the preparation take over today,” said Kane whose team is 13-5. 

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Coach Kane compares this team to the 2011 Baylor squad led by four freshmen.

 

“We were young in 2011 with four freshmen and had lost to GPS in the state finals in 2010,” Kane stated.

That quartet of Samantha Caswell, Harper Caswell, Maggie Crumbliss and McCall Morgan won four straight Spring Fling titles (2011-12-13-14), four Chattanooga crowns and a trio of DecorTurf championships.

 

But today, the spotlight is on the current group of players is led by sophomore Drew Hawkins at No.1 singles with a 13-4 record.

 

The Raiders have two eighth graders - Lauren Carelli and Landie McBrayer - two freshmen - Lilly Mooney and Presley Thomas - and two sophomores - Drew Hawkins and Ashton Jenne playing singles while junior Hannah Kleban was the veteran playing doubles.

 

Baylor won the doubles point, followed by singles wins from Hawkins, Ashton Jenne and Presley Thomas for the title.

 

State Record: Knox.

Webb (D-II A) and Ravenwood (D-I AAA) both won championships today and are current co-holders of the state record at six straight.

 

MUS Defeated Baylor, 4-0

MUS made it a three-peat with a 4-0 win against Baylor for the D-II AA boys’ title. At least four players on the court will play college tennis.

 

For MUS, Spencer Richey is headed to Alabama, while Paul LaHue will wear the blue and gold of UTC in the fall.

 

For Baylor (11-4), Jack Gray heads to Sewanee and Chad Woodham will play for Austin Peay.

 

Baylor Girls 4, Hutchison 1

Doubles (Baylor won the doubles point)

Drew Hawkins-Hannah Bleban (Bay) def. Grace Garrott-Gracie Donoghue, 8-3

Ashton Jenne-Presley Thomas (Bay) def. Catherine Owen-Grace Ann Dunnavant, 8-2

 

Singles

Drew Hawkins (Bay) def. Grace Garrott, 6-3, 6-1

Ashton Jenne (Bay) def. Gracie Donoghue, 6-2, 6-2

Presley Thomas (Bay) def. Catherine Owen, 6-0, 6-3

Record: Baylor (13-5)

 

MUS 4, Baylor 0

Doubles (MUS won the doubles point)

Paul LaHue-Christian Schneiter (MUS) def. Cooper Long-Patrick Toomey, 8-5

Michael Apple-Andres Carro (MUS) def. Barrett Shock-Ethan Palisoc, 8-4

 

Singles

Spencer Richey (MUS def. Chad Woodham, 7-6, 6-2

Pau LaHue (MUS) def. Cooper Long, 6-3, 7-5

Freddy Danielson (MUS) def. Alec Kadrie, 6-0, 6-2

Record: Baylor (11-4)

 

contact B.B. Branton at william.branton@comcast.net