The Notre Dame boys and Chattanooga Christian girls tennis teams took the first step on the road to Spring Fling XX by claiming A-AA District 7 championships Tuesday at CCS.
The Irish boys topped CCS, 7-2, while the CCS girls beat the defending state champion Irish, 7-2.
Region Championship
Thursday May 9 – CCS girls host District 8 winner
Friday May 10 – Notre Dame boys host District 8 winner at the Champions Club
CCS Girls 7, Notre Dame 2
In a battle of undefeated District 7 teams, CCS (10-1, 5-0) won two of three doubles matches and five of six singles matches to stop Notre Dame (10-1, 3-1) and clinch its 19th district championship since 1989.
“We played well all the way up and down the lineup and our hard work all season has paid off," said CCS coach Sue Webb.
Key wins for CCS came at Nos. 1-2 singles and No.1 doubles as the Henry sisters (Ellie and Hannah) topped the Joyce sisters (Katie and Sarah).
“I needed to play a more aggressive match today (in singles) than I did last year when Katie won our singles match,” said Ellie Henry who hit a number of overhead shots for winners on the way to an 8-4 singles win.
“To sit back and play long points from the baseline is not my game.”
Good Rivalry: This was Henry's first win in singles vs. Joyce in three years ... Joyce beat Henry in regular season matches in 2011 and 2012 ... The two players did not play in 2010 as Henry was at No.1 singles and Joyce played No.2 singles.
CCS 7, Notre Dame 2
Doubles
Ellie Henry-Hannah Henry (CCS) def Katie Joyce-Sarah Joyce, 8-4
Danika DorrisAllyson Ross (ND) def. Allie Sullivan-Gracie Smith, 8-3
Caraline Redberg-Sarah Smith (CCS) def. Bridgett Haywood-Anna McIntyre, 8-3
Singles
Ellie Henry (CCS) def. Katie Joyce, 8-4
Hannah Henry (CCS) def. Sarah Joyce, 8-4
Danika Dorris (ND) def. Allie Sullivan, 8-1
Caraline Redberg (CCS) def. Allyson Ross, 8-6
Emmie Cornell (CCS) def. Anna McIntyre, 8-4
Records: CCS (10-1, 5-0) Notre Dame (10-1, 3-1)
Boys
Notre Dame Boys 7, CCS 2
The Irish (11-0, 4-0) remained perfect on the season as they clinched their fourth district title in the last five years.
Charles Jabaley won at No.1 singles and doubles for Notre Dame.
“I am pleased with how we played today as this was a big match for us,” said Notre Dame coach Nancy Fox with a smile.
Irish Rally Cap: J.R. Davis also claimed wins in singles and doubles as he rallied from down 0-4 in singles to win 8-6.
Notre Dame 7, CCS 2
Doubles
Charles Jabaley-J.R. Davis (ND) def. Stewart Fellers-Nick Baxendell, 8-2
Joe Sliger-Tommy Howell (CCS) def. Thomas Gaudin-Jay Nguyen, 8-4
Nick Coronis-Christian San Miguel (ND) def. Rett Bryant-Stephen Adams, 8-5
Singles
Charles Jabaley (ND) def. Stewart Fellers, 8-2
J.R. Davis (ND) def. Nick Baxendell, 8-6
Thomas Gaudin (ND) def. Joe Sliger, 8-2
Jay Nguyen (ND) def. Tommy Howell, 8-0
Rett Bryant (CCS) def. Nick Coronis, 8-6
Christian San Miguel (ND) def. Stephen Adams, 8-4
Records: Notre Dame (11-0, 4-0), CCS (9-3, 3-2)
contact B.B. Branton at william.branton@comcast.net