GAINESVILLE — Kendall Gruhn knew the challenge her team faced in the first round of the state -- even as a region champion.
The Johns Creek girls tennis team brought players ranked inside the top 10 in the entire Southeast to Longwood Park on Wednesday, and, despite a spirited fight from Gainesville, walked away with a victory in the first round of the Class 6A tournament.
"Our girls are solid, but they still had to come out and play the best match of their lives today; several of them did play the best match of their lives today, and I'm proud of them," Gruhn said.
The Lady Red Elephants did claim the No. 3 singles point, as Grace O'Keefe played her way to a 6-4, 6-2 win -- but not before the Lady Gladiators had claimed the No. 1 and 2 singles points and the No. 2 doubles point in straight sets.
"I'm expecting great things from Grace next season," said Gruhn, who did see four seniors' varsity careers come to an end on Wednesday.
No.1 singles player Ali Waggoner, No. 2 singles player Madi Kiser and doubles standout Paige Patterson, along with regular contributor Grace Brown, will all graduate this spring.
"I met with the seniors before the season and talked about leadership, and they knew their role and superseeded all the expectations I had for them," Gruhn said. "They went above and beyond what I asked of them. Winning the region was our goal before the season, and we accomplished that.
"It's going to hurt losing them, but we've got some solid freshmen and underclassmen that are going to have to step it up in the offseason. That's what our seniors did this past season."
NORTH HALL BOYS 3,
FRANKLIN COUNTY 0
The Trojans moved through the first round of the Class 3A state bracket on Wednesday in Carnesville.
Christian Boychuk won at No. 2 singles 6-2, 6-4, while Kody Dills won 6-0, 6-1 at No. 3 singles for North Hall.
Meanwhile, the No. 1 doubles team of Adam Turcotte and Ethan Surles won 6-1, 7-6 (7-3).
North Hall travels to Calhoun next week for second round, time to be determined.
