For Jamestown girls tennis coach Karen Johnson, the two losses that stick out most from a season ago were the one against eventual state-champion E.C. Glass that ended the Eagles’ season in the Group AA semifinals, and the one a few weeks prior against York that ended the Eagles’ string of consecutive Bay Rivers District championships.
With aspirations of another deep postseason run to the Group AA state tournament this spring, a narrow (5-4) early-season loss to defending state-champion E.C. Glass was promising. While that loss in particular has served as the most accurate measuring stick for Johnson in terms of how her team stacks up against the state’s elite competition, reclaiming the Bay Rivers District hardware is also important.
Tuesday afternoon, Jamestown moved a step closer to that goal after defeating defending district champion York 7-2 on the Eagles’ home courts.
“It’s a big win because I think the girls remember what happened last year (when York edged Jamestown 5-4 for the district title),” Johnson said as the match drew to a close. “It’s still very early in the season, and the focus right now is just improving, but for the most part I’m happy where we are right now.”
The experience of Jamestown’s veteran unit clearly overmatched a young and inexperienced York team as the Eagles took five of six singles matches to clinch the victory.
The day’s most competitive match came at No. 3 singles, where York’s Kristin Dantzler and Jamestown’s Elizabeth Wallace battled competitively before Dantzler eked out a 7-5, 6-4 victory.
One court over, Jamestown’s Katie Hunt helped clinch the win for Jamestown, edging York’s Abby Chen 6-2, 7-6 (7-4).
Other notable victories for the Eagles came at No. 2 singles, where freshman Anna Walter, younger sister of senior standout Leah Walter, defeated York’s Gaby Tersigni 6-1, 6-0 to remain unbeaten in singles play so far this season.
Anna Walter then teamed up with her older sister to post a dominant 8-3 win at No. 1 doubles, while the experienced tandem of Wallace and Sharp defeated Tersigni and Ashley Gailey 8-4. York earned its second win of the day at No. 3 doubles where Gaby Chen and and Wei Chang outlasted Hunt and Kristen Lilley 8-6.
“We’re a young team, so this was a good learning experience,” York coach Steve Fisher said. “This [match] will let us know where we need to be and the things we need to work on come playoff time.”
Jamestown 7 York 2
Singles
Leah Walter (J) def. Teresa Alvarez 6-3, 6-2
Anna Walter (J) def. Gaby Tersigni 6-1, 6-0
Kristin Dantzler (Y) def. Elizabeth Wallace 7-5, 6-4
Kathy Sharp (J) def. Ashley Gailey 6-0, 6-1
Katie Hunt (J) def. Abby Chen 6-2, 7-6 (7-4)
Sarah Reso (J) def. Courtney Jenkins 6-1, 6-2
Doubles
L. Walter/A. Walter def. Alvarez/Dantzler 8-3
Wallace Sharp def. Tersigni/Gailey 8-4
Chen/Chang def. Hunt/Lilley 8-6
Records: Jamestown (3-0 BRD); York (2-1 BRD)
