Elizabeth Clark | News Journal Photo
WILMINGTON — Blanchester’s Lilly Bates won the first singles title Wednesday in the SBAAC National Division girls tennis tournament at the Wilmington High School tennis complex.
“She has worked so hard throughout the summer and the season,” said Matt Sexton, the BHS tennis coach. “Last year she was in the same boat — one win away from likely being player of the year and she lost in the final. Today, not only did she play very well against the CNE girl who she had two close matches with this year, but she hung in there to beat the Georgetown girl in straight sets. She got down 0-4 in the second but kept battling. She continues to develop as a player, and likely winning player of the year is the next step in her development.”
Blanchester was second in the team standings for the tournament with East Clinton fourth.
“I thought the team did very well,” East Clinton coach Doug Stehlin said.
In the final season standings, the Wildcats were third and the Astros were fourth.
“It was a strong finish to the year,” Sexton said. “To finish tied in the tournament with CNE was a good accomplishment. We have a lot of work to do before next year, but overall it was a very good effort.”
Stephanie Lambert of EC was runnerup at second singles while Rylee Kempton at first singles, Mallory Thomason at third singles and the doubles team of Abigail Prater and Josi Balon were all third in their respective brackets.
For BHS, Lydia Siler was third at second singles, Abby Thomas was fourth at third singles, Breanna Weldon and Ryan Maines were fourth at first doubles and Tatum Strange and Madison Taylor were third at second doubles.
SUMMARY
Sept 18, 2024
@Wilmington High School
SBAAC National Division Tennis Tournament
Tournament results
Georgetown 43, Blanchester 31, Clermont NE 31, East Clinton 29, Felicity 21, Bethel-Tate 6
Season standings
Georgetown 27, CNE 22, Blanchester 20, East Clinton 15, Felicity 12, Bethel-Tate 9
Individuals
Semifinals/Finals
1st Singles
Semifinals: Lillian Gray (Georgetown) d. Rylee Kempton (East Clinton) 6-4, 6-4; Lilly Bates (Blanchester) d. Jayda Sharp (Clermont NE) 6-1, 6-1
Finals: Bates (B) d. Gray (GT) 6-1, 7-5
2nd Singles
Semifinals: Lillie Holland (GT) d. Raina Eichenlaub (CNE) 6-1, 6-1; Stephanie Lambert (EC) d. Lydia Siler (B) 6-1, 6-0
Finals: Holland (GT) d. Lambert (EC) 6-1, 6-0
3rd Singles
Semifinals: Kailynn Sharp (CNE) d. Abby Thomas (B) 6-2, 6-3; Morgan Preston (GT) d. Mallory Thompson (EC) 6-1, 6-2
Finals: Preston (GT) d. Sharp (CNE) 6-0, 1-0, retired
1st Doubles
Semifinals: McKibben/O’Connor (GT) d. Weldon/Maines (B) 6-0, 6-1; Stephan/Bosley (CNE) d. Prater/Balon (EC) 6-2, 6-7(5), 6-3
Finals: McKibben/O’Connor (GT) d. Stephan/Bosley (CNE) 6-1, 6-1
2nd Doubles
Semifinals: Hinson/Smith (CNE) d. Hamilton/Lane (Felicity) 6-2, 6-2; Leggett/Schuster (GT) d. Taylor/Strange (B) 8-6, 7-5
Finals: Leggett/Schuster (GT) d. Hinson/Smith (CNE) 6-1, 4-6, 6-3
