Granville High School had a successful weekend in both football and girls tennis, with the football team scrimmaging at Sheridan and the girls tennis team clinching the Licking County championship. The highlight of the weekend was the impressive performance of the girls tennis team, particularly the No. 1 doubles team of Ella Riley and Lily Underhill.
Riley and Underhill found themselves in a tense situation during their match against Watkins Memorial, trailing 5-2 in the tiebreaker. Despite the pressure, the juniors managed to rally and secure a victory, ultimately clinching the county championship for Granville. Reflecting on their win, Riley expressed her excitement at moving from third doubles last year to first doubles this year, highlighting the growth and improvement they have experienced.
The success of Riley and Underhill was mirrored by the rest of the Granville girls tennis team, with the doubles teams sweeping the courts. Eliza DeJong and Ava Upton at No. 2 doubles, and Addison Laidlaw-Smith and Alexa Todora at No. 3 doubles, all went 4-0 in the round-robin format. Additionally, Ava Schlotterbeck, the team’s lone senior, along with Grace Emery and Ela Kendrick, put in strong performances in singles matches, securing runner-up positions for the Blue Aces.
The competition was fierce, with Watkins Memorial dominating the singles courts. Standout sophomore Nora Grennan continued her impressive form from last season, securing the No. 1 singles title and repeating as county champion. Watkins juniors Kaiya Minier and Payton Zerkle also claimed titles at No. 2 and No. 3 singles, respectively, showcasing the depth and talent of their team.
Despite facing significant graduation losses, Newark put up a strong fight, with senior Lydia Sears and the doubles team of Bella Sherman and Analeigh Roy delivering solid performances. Sears, in particular, showed composure and skill in her matches, adapting to the challenges of singles play and focusing on consistency and strategy.
The tournament also saw Mount Vernon and Zanesville players putting up commendable performances, with junior Scarlett Turner and sophomore Dede Burcham of Mount Vernon, and Watkins junior Lidia Sanchez and sophomore Jillian Colegrove, and Zanesville’s Jazzy Spencer and Kelly Morris, all securing runner-up positions in doubles.
The sportsmanship award winners from each team, including Newark’s Maria Arnold, Granville’s Ella Riley, Watkins‘ Nora Grennan, Zanesville’s Chloe Buchanan, and Mount Vernon’s Addison Cooperider, were recognized for their exemplary conduct on and off the court.
Overall, the Licking County championship was a showcase of talent, determination, and sportsmanship, with Granville emerging as the deserving champions. The team’s unity, skill, and competitive spirit were evident throughout the tournament, setting the stage for a successful season ahead.