Norwalk tennis places second at Ashland Invitational
Aug. 8—ASHLAND — The Norwalk girls tennis team opened the season by placing second at the Ashland Invitational on Saturday at Brookside Park.
Norwalk had three finalists at the seven positions, with No. 2 singles junior Sidney Sage winning her bracket.
"I am very proud of our performance," Norwalk coach Harry Love said. "We are a very young team and this is a competitive Invite with some of the strongest teams from the area. This shows how all the hard work the girls have been putting in is now starting to pay off.
"I'm really looking forward to how the rest of the season goes."
Sage defeated Orrville's Ella Wallace (8-0) and Findlay's Caitlin England (8-6) before topping Shelby's MeKenna Baker (8-4) in the championship match at second singles.
"It was hot and sunny, and Sid was able to physically outlast her opponents in the long rallies, even if that meant sprinting corner to corner just to keep the ball in play," Love said. "A little bit of rain didn't throw her off her game in the final and she was able to close out the win."
At third singles, sophomore Ana Osborn defeated Madison's Tori Jackson (8-0) and Columbian's Ella Dysard (8-3) before falling 8-1 to Findlay's Tabitha Cap in the finals.
"Ana had a very successful day, using her speed and athleticism to outlast her opponents in the first two rounds," Love said. "In the final she fell to an equally fast and athletic girl who made very few mistakes."
At second doubles, sophomores Lauren Brown and Kenzie Smith opened with an 8-1 win over Shelby's Cami Wuschich and Ella Lantz. They beat Madison's Olivia Lord and Emma Reynolds, 8-3, before falling to Findlay's Lily Korecky and Carly Tong in the title match by an 8-5 score.
"They were solid and consistent in the first two matches," Love said. "In the final they faced a tough Findlay team in a match that went back and forth multiple times. Ultimately, we were unable to win a couple of big points, which oftentimes in tennis, is what decides a match."
Also for Norwalk, junior Megan Miller fell to Ashland's Audra McBride before rebounding with an 8-0 win over New Philadelphia's Amber Albritton. At first doubles, senior Maya Phillips and junior Kendall Hammersmith beat New Philadelphia's Taylor and Baylee Roe (4-1), then fell in the second round by an 8-4 score to Ashland's Chloe Ediger and Morgan Kaufman.
"Megan had a very tough first round opponent in a Division 1 state singles qualifier from last season," Love said." I was very happy with the way she played against a very tough and consistent opponent.
"Maya and Kendall were able to keep it close for the first half of their second match, but then the Ashland team found another gear and we were unable to keep up."
Norwalk is scheduled to visit Port Clinton on Monday and Edison on Wednesday before hosting Bryan at Perkins High School on Friday. On Saturday, the Norwalk doubles tournament will be held at Court 1 in Perkins Twp.
Norwalk is currently constructing five new tennis courts, which are expected to be ready for home matches at the end of the month.
BOYS GOLF
New London opens season
ASHLAND — The New London boys golf team opened the season on Aug. 4 with a 392 team showing at the Ashland Simonson Invitational at Brookside golf course.
For the Wildcats, Carter Eibel led the way with an 88. He was followed by Brody Sword (94), Kendyl Moffit (103), Grady Heileman (107) and Tate Landis (109).
On Aug. 5, New London beat Buckeye Central by a 183-198 score at Millstone Hills.
Eibel was the medalist of the match with a 41. Heileman followed with a 45 and Sword added a 46. Rounding out the New London lineup was Jacob Myers (51), Landis (53) and Jayson Schaffer (58).
The 'Cats will host Loudonville on Monday.
