A new girls tennis power appears to be rising in the Jefferson District. After knocking off traditional power Western Albemarle earlier in the year for just the second time in the program’s history, Monticello put together an even more impressive performance with a 6-1 victory over the Warriors on Thursday to wrap up an outright Jefferson District for the first time in school history.
The Mustangs (12-0, 11-0 JD) didn’t face any easy task while prepping for the big match as they were kept off the court by days of rain delays. An ankle injury to No. 2-player Kate Geldmacher in a volleyball tournament didn’t help either.
But the Mustangs shook off those obstacles and got things going with another dominant performance at the No. 1 slot by Lizzy Gaffney, continuing her streak of not surrendering a game in JD play. Mayo Rives, elevated to No. 2 with Geldmacher’s injury, also won big at the spot, 10-2. Mariah Shaw then followed with a 10-4 victory, a big-time performance that gave Monticello a lot of momentum and a 3-1 lead.
One of the heroes of the first victory earlier in the year, Samantha Lin won 10-5 in the fifth place and Kelsey Combs, who was hurt before the teams’ first meeting made up for lost time with a 10-5 win of her own at the sixth slot. Those two victories clinched the match and a spot in the Region II playoffs for the Mustangs.
Monticello 6, Western Albemarle 1
Singles
1. Lizzy Gaffney vs. M. Wilson (10-0)
2. Mayo Rives vs. S. Nanda (10-2)
3. Alex Ordel vs. L. Hagspiel (1-10)
4. Mariah Shaw vs. M. Wright (10-4)
5. Samantha Lin vs. C. Bland (10-5)
6. Kelsey Combs vs. A. Ware (10-5)
Doubles
1. Gaffney/Rives vs. Wilson/Nanda (10-2)
