Coming off a District 5-AAA Championships both Walker Valley men’s and women’s tennis teams earned an opportunity to claim a Region 3 crown.
While both teams put up valiant efforts, both squads fell short in their title runs, ending the team season for the blue and gold.
Earning the District 5 Championship for the first time in over a decade, the Walker Valley Lady Mustang tennis team landed one match short of another milestone victory falling to the District 6 Champion Soddy Daisy Lady Trojans 4-3 Thursday.
With weather necessitating a venue change, both teams moved to the Charger Indoor Tennis Facility on the campus of Chattanooga Christian. The indoor environment proved difficult for the Lady Mustangs, who trailed 2-3 following five singles matches.
“Playing indoors can always create a different energy for any team that can use it. I loved how vocal they were with each other, we just couldn’t get the big points,” Lady Mustang Coach Eddie Coates remarked.
The Blue and Gold came out with a strong two-set win behind junior Ella Klepzig. Her 6-2, 6-2 win was the only win for the ‘Stangs until top-ranked senior Ensley Collins took the court for a 6-0, 6-0 win to keep the Lady Mustangs alive.
Needing a sweep in doubles, Walker Valley could only muster a win from Ensley Collins and Libbi Dunkle. The final doubles match ended with Soddy Daisy scoring a 1-6, 6-4, 7-5 win to capture the match and the Region 3 Championship.
“Soddy is a super scrappy team that is well coached. I’m obviously really proud of our girls to come down here in a different type of environment and fight like they did,” Coach Coates shared. “The team matches become a lot tighter in post season play when you only play five singles and two doubles, and you couldn’t have a closer match.”
“Tennis can be such a lonely sport,” senior Ensley Collins noted, “I’ve been on court when things don’t go your way and it’s so tough but I’m really thankful for this team and the way we have supported each other all year.”
The Mustangs were hoping for some revenge in their Region Championship match as they battled East Hamilton for the second time this season. Playing without the services of one of their top players Cael Coates, who suffered a lower leg injury, the Mustangs battled to two singles wins from the opening round of play.
“We just couldn’t get going when we needed a big point,” Coach Coates remarked. “Their top kids played great tennis and made the match really tough.” Picking up the singles wins were sophomores Mitch Brown and Turner Clayton who worked to keep the team alive, but in the end the Hurricanes would capture the crown with an 8-1 at the top doubles line.
“It’s a tough way to go out,” senior Jose Guerrero shared. “We were really hoping to have a strong play against them today but it just wasn’t our match.”
East Hamilton boys and Soddy Daisy girls will represent Region 3 in the TSSAA Team Sectional round and travel to Middle Tennessee for the next matchup.
While Walker Valley’s team season is complete, seniors Jose Guerrero and Ensley Collins will continue their postseason journey in the TSSAA individual tournament as each played for a Region Championship on Monday in Chattanooga.
Bradley Central's top doubles team, senior Preston Henderson and junior Hunter Fields, plus Cleveland senior duo Lauren Pitts and Addison Brock also battled Monday in region play.
