By: Rachel Ward, PHS Senior
The Perrysburg Girl’s High School Tennis Team has risen against difficult competition this season, with a record of 7-4 so far. With an all around win against Clay High School as the first match of the season, the team let everyone know they were here to play. After improving their record 2-0 against Central Catholic High School they traveled to the Pickerington Tournament, giving them tough competition in order to improve their playing and give the girls an opportunity to bond, enjoying Cheesecake Factory as a team that night. Shortly after, the girls faced off against Walsh Jesuit High School, and while they ultimately fell short, the match was highlighted by a battle in first doubles. Sophomore Brianna Dunham and Senior Captain Rachel Ward won their court in a third set tiebreaker. A match against Lexington High School brought the team up to 3-2, after Senior Captains Lexie O'Connell and Anna Snider won their second doubles court on a third set.
The NLL competition began by sweeping all five courts against Springfield and second doubles pair Sophomores Allison Barry and Kora Ziegler making their starting seven debut. The girls then traveled to Tiffin, winning nearly all courts against Ashland High School. This late night match featured a super tiebreaker victory by Devika Bhavsar as the sun was setting. The girls won all courts against Napoleon High School, highlighted by decisive singles wins by Mona Abdul-Aziz and Emerson Metzger. The Jackets faced stiff competition against NLL rivals Anthony Wayne, Northview and Bowling Green. While they only managed to win one of the three matches, the first doubles team of Rachel Ward and Brianna Dunham made a statement that they are the team to beat by winning all of their league matches. The current record for the team is 7-4 all around and 3-2 in the NLL. Despite last minute lineup changes and difficult competition, all of the girls have been rising to take on every challenge thrown at them this season. With the instruction of Coach Brigode, Assistant Coach Carter and the leadership of the team captains, the Perrysburg Girls Tennis Team is looking to win the NLL competition, and send their players on the road to playing at states.