The District 5 Girls Tennis Championship will have a new home for the first time in three years as Walker Valley toppled McMinn County by a 6-3 score Thursday to capture the team title and advance to the Region 3 Championship match.
“This was really special for our girls.” an excited first-year head coach Eddie Coates exclaimed. “They knew to get the win we had to get six wins and they were dialed in from the start.”
The Mustangs secured their district championship Tuesday with a win over county-rival Bradley Central and wrapped up the campaign with a 9-0 shutout of McMinn.
The Mustang Tennis Complex was filled with the buzz of a prize title fight from the first serve.
The match started quickly for Walker Valley as Caileigh Collins and Libby Dunkle avenged their loss at McMinn three weeks earlier with an 8-4 doubles victory.
Earning the second win were partners Mary Beasley and Ella Klepzig, who gave their team a 2-1 edge moving into singles.
“We knew this match would ride on what Mary (Beasley), Ella (Klepzig), and Caileigh (Collins) could do for us right out of the gate.” Coach Coates shared.
“Those girls were absolute warriors tonight. They fought every single point and it was great to get the sweep from them.”
Klepzig earned the first singles win with her 8-3 victory and sweep over McMinn.
Beasley, who lost at McMinn, turned the tide and won 9-7 to move the team one win away from a match win.
Caileigh Collins, younger sister of team senior Ensley Collins, played the match of the night winning a 9-7 thriller to capture the team win.
In the end, it was lone senior and three-time TSSAA state participant Ensley Collins who clinched the district championship with an 8-1 win to close the night and capture the hardware.
On her teammate’s play, Ensley shared, “They were awesome tonight. They really played great and had such great energy in such a big match. I’m very proud to be part of the group and excited we’ve earned a championship together.”
Both Walker Valley teams captured the district crown and will advance into post season play.
“It’s great for the kids and the school. They’ve been great to coach and it’s a thrill to have both teams moving on.” Coates shared.
Tuesday match
The Walker Valley tennis programs honored their seniors on Tuesday evening at the Mustang Tennis Complex with signature season wins.
The Mustangs and their three seniors capped off a thrilling match with some late game heroics from an underclassman to capture the District 5 championship and secure a position in the Region 3 tournament.
The Lady Mustangs equaled the gentleman with a more convincing win.
Traveling to Walker Valley, Bradley Central had payback on their mind and an opportunity to spoil an undefeated district season for the Mustangs.
A Bradley win could position the Bears to win the District title which created a thrilling atmosphere throughout the match.
In doubles play, all three matches moved to an 8-game apiece tie-break with Walker Valley securing two of the three matches.
Doubles partners and brothers Cash and Cael Coates were first off the court for Walker Valley, earning a 9-8 win over Bradley’s Hunter Fields and Parker White.
Bradley answered back quickly with a 9-8 win from their top tandem, Britton Carter and Preston Henderson.
The Mustangs ended doubles play with partners Turner Clayton and Mitch Brown landing the last 9-8 win before heading to singles play.
Bradley Central earned an early boost with a strong win from Britton Carter over Jose Guerrero that squared the match at two.
The match stayed even with Walker Valley collecting an 8-4 win from Noah Ufer, while Bradley earned a win from Hunter Fields.
Cael Coates secured an 8-5 victory to move the Mustangs within one win to secure the match and District Championship.
That win would come from sophomore Turner Clayton, who battled back from an 0-5 start to win 9-8, joining fellow sophomore Mitch Brown in his win to close the overall match 6-3 for Walker Valley.
“Not a better way to celebrate your seniors than a match that wins the district.” shared Coach Coates. “Bradley’s kids played great today and really brought a lot of intensity to the match. It was fun to be part of and I’m excited for our kids to fight through and win a tough, tough match.”
The Lady Mustangs, playing with lone senior Ensley Collins, did what they had to do to be in a position to advance to the region tournament with a 9-0 team win.
“Ensley’s been a lot of fun to coach this year. We’re proud of her and excited to see her make another run at a State Championship, but I know she is just as excited about helping her team advance.” Coates shared.
Walker Valley’s boys will travel to East Hamilton for the Region 3 Championship, while the ladies will journey to Soddy-Daisy to take on the Lady Trojans. Region winners advance to the TSSAA State Sectional round.
