Girls tennis: Lehman Catholic comes up short at sectionals

0

TROY — All three singles players and one doubles team picked up wins for the Lehman Catholic girls tennis team at the D-II sectional tournament Tuesday at Troy High School and Troy City Park, but the Cavaliers came up just short of having a district qualifier.

For the second year in a row, Sarah Gibson advanced to the quarterfinals before losing the go-to district match.

Gibson opened with a 6-0, 6-0 win over Kendra Cochenour of Greenon and advanced to the quarterfinals with a 6-0, 6-1 win over Khloie Slagle of Bellefontaine.

She faced Macy Wallace of Kenton Ridge — the second seed — in the quarterfinals.

Gibson led most of the second set before losing 6-2, 7-5.

Claire Larger was seeded fourth in singles.

After breezing past Bonnie Yang of Dixie 6-0, 6-0; Larger was upset by freshman Dakota Schroeder of Tippecanoe 6-3, 6-2.

Melanie Brunner opened with a 6-3, 6-0 win over Isabella Laird of Springfield Shawnee before losing to top seed Sophia Murphy of Eaton 6-3, 6-0.

“This was our best team showing at sectionals in five years,” Lehman coach Tim Ungericht said.

In doubles, Anna Pannaparra and Kiera Burns defeated Brookville 6-3, 6-2; before losing to Giana Embry and Bree Latting of Springfield Northwestern 6-1, 6-2.

Angela Brunner and Grace Brandt lost to Brookville 6-1, 6-1.

“We had a nice season overall with two runnerup finishes at invitationals and a third in the eight-team Schroeder Invitational,” Ungericht said. “And we had our most match wins since 2013.”

The Lady Cavaliers will have to replace Alex (Read) and Melanie (Brunner) to graduation.

“Melanie (Brunner) and Alex (Read) are big losses, especially leadership wise,” Ungericht said. “But, we have a lot of talent and experience coming back, so we have big expectations for next year.”

Lehman Catholic’s Sarah Gibson hits a backhand during a singles match at the Division II sectional tournament on Tuesday at Troy Community Park.
http://www.sidneydailynews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/47/2017/10/web1_100317jb_leh_gibson.jpgLehman Catholic’s Sarah Gibson hits a backhand during a singles match at the Division II sectional tournament on Tuesday at Troy Community Park. Josh Brown | AIM Media Midwest

By Rob Kiser

[email protected]

No posts to display