Brookstone's Calhoun wins decisive match in Brookstone's title

STONE MOUNTAIN - Charity Calhoun&#39;s high school tennis career finished just like it began: With nausea, a rain delay and a state championship.<br> <br> The Brookstone senior overcame heat stroke to win the deciding match in the Class AA girls final against Athens Academy and give the Columbus school both boys and girls titles Saturday at the Stone Mountain Tennis Center.<br> <br> Four other teams also won state titles Saturday. Walker&#39;s girls and Greater Atlanta Christian&#39;s boys won Class AA titles while Cartersville&#39;s girls and Westminster&#39;s boys captured the Class AAA championship.<br> <br> Calhoun&#39;s performance stood out Saturday. The victory was almost a replay of her match in the 2002 championships. Then a freshman, she was overwhelmed by nausea during the match, recovered thanks in part to a rain delay, and went on to victory. She faced the same situation Saturday.<br> <br> She won the first set easily 6-1 but trailed 5-1 in the second set when she heard her teammates had split the other four matches, making hers the deciding match. She began to sweat profusely and vomited on the court before a medical timeout was called.<br> <br> She forfeited the final game of the set to extend her break an extra 10 minutes. Going against the advice of her father and uncle -- both doctors -- she returned for the final set.<br> <br> ``I don&#39;t like to give up,&#39;&#39; she said. ``I wouldn&#39;t have been happy with myself if I had retired in my final high school match.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> Calhoun managed to stay even early in the third set before a brief rain shower delayed the match for more than an hour. She was at full strength by the time play resumed and went on to win the final set 6-4.<br> <br> Calhoun&#39; victory gave the Cougars their third title in four years and completed their second consecutive undefeated season.<br> <br> Brookstone&#39;s boys defeated Athens Academy as well, sweeping the three singles matches to take the title and end Athens streak of eight consecutive state titles. Cartersville&#39; victory over Westminster was almost as inspirational as Calhoun&#39;s. The state title is the first in 32 years of coaching at the school for Karen Ruff. Ruff&#39;s girl&#39;s teams had played for the state title four times previously without a victory.<br> <br> ``In my heart and in my soul, I knew these kids would do it,&#39;&#39; Ruff said. ``I&#39;ve felt it and I&#39;ve dreamed it. It&#39;s been a phenomenal win. Four other teams captured state titles Friday.<br> <br> Marist swept the boys and girls titles in Class AAAA, while Lassiter&#39;s boys and Walton&#39;s girls won the Class AAAAA titles.<br> <br> Marist&#39;s boys completed an undefeated season in a rematch of last years state championship match. The War Eagles swept defending title-holder St. Pius, led by top-singles player Daniel Gonzalez. The senior is 4-0 in his state championship singles matches in his career.<br> <br> Marist&#39;s girls won their 11th consecutive state title by sweeping St. Pius. It is the seventh time in school history Marist has won both the girls and boys titles in the same year.<br> <br> Lassiter&#39;s boys defeated Harrison for the Class AAAAA championship, the team&#39;s first since 1999. Walton&#39;s girls extended their consecutive match winning streak to 37 dating back to the 2003 season with an easy victory over Chattahoochee.

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