Girls’ Tennis Ties at Regionals, Advances to States

Though unrated and mildly regarded in state polls, the Greenhills girls’ tennis team demonstrated their mettle in high style at last Thursday’s Regional Championship, hosted by Greenhills, by tying third-ranked Monroe St. Mary’s Catholic Central for the Regional crown. 

Finishing with a championship-worthy 24 points, the Gryphons delivered on all of their seeds, refusing to falter at any flight.  The third doubles team of Emily Chung ’13 and Jill Hakim ’12 faced a stiff challenge from their Riverview Gabriel Richard opponents, coming from behind in each set to deliver their two points.  Second doubles Miriam Akervall ’12 and Pallavi Prabhu ’15, as well asBraeleigh Apley ’12, turned in fine performances coming within a whisker of pulling a major upset.  Second singles player Colleen O’Brien ’14 impressed the crowd by overwhelming the field with her immense firepower. Kasey Gardiner ’12 remained undefeated as a high school performer though her opponent from Frankel Jewish Academy proved to be one of the most game she has faced in her Greenhills career.  Battling back from a 5-2 deficit, Kasey demonstrated why she is the preeminent talent in the state and one of the top recruits in the nation.  Senior Corinne Gardner continued to ride her hot streak as she ran off three straight matches, also coming from 5-2 down to win a set, and then clsoing out the 4 singles flight championship 6-1 in the third set.

But the exclamation point to the day was set by the #1 doubles team of Sarah McIntosh ’12 and Rae Schueller ’13, who upset the second seed in three sets before defeating the first seed from University Liggett in the finals.

The championship tie earns the Gryphons a trip to the State tournament hosted this year at Holland H.S. (June 1-2).  The final flourish for the team was added by the regional coaches, who voted Greenhills’ coach Mark Randolph the Regional Coach of the Year.

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