The dynasty has come to an end. For the first time in four years, the team placed second at counties.
After being in first place the week of Oct. 16, they lost during the finals head-to-head on three courts against Walter Johnson. This put Walter Johnson into first place and the girls in second. Although this loss was disappointing, the girls’ doubles team already qualified for States, but competed at Regionals for the top seed. With the departure of last season’s seniors, who were also some of the top players, the returning players had to step up and fill their shoes and adjust to playing with the freshmen.
The Regionals matches took place at Walter Johnson as the doubles team of sophomores Annie Dong and Ellie Esterowitz won in a close and nail biting match with the scores of 7-5 and 6-4 against Whitman. The other doubles team that competed were senior Winnie Liang and freshman Lena Ware, who also faced Whitman. The score of their match was 6-2 and 6-0. Only the team of Dong and Esterowitz will go on to compete in States and represent the girls’ doubles.
No singles were put into the lineup of Regionals because Whitman has a strong singles team. Dong was put into doubles to have a better chance of beating Whitman and qualifying for States. Whitman, a strong competitor, put up a good fight, but because Dong and Esterowitz won the doubles match, they won first seed in States. Several girls have yet to compete because they are waiting to be put into mixed doubles with the boys whose season does not start until the spring. Only then will those people know if they have a shot at States.
The Regionals match was the last match of the regular fall season and will pick back up in the spring. Only losing one regular season match, the final record for the girls was 11-1. “We had a really great season overall. Even though we lost our winning streak, I am confident the girls are going to get it back next year. I’ll miss being a part of the team,” senior Kara Wang said.
Social studies teacher and coach Fevronia Cresham said, “I was very happy with how well we did in the regular season. This was a big rebuilding season for us because we lost a lot of seniors. We even have freshmen going to states, so I am very, very pleased.”
The next match will be in the spring at States. It is predicted that the girls’ doubles have a strong chance of winning states because they won Regionals.
Ava Castelli
Staff Writer
