Tennis - Varsity Girls
Team Roster
Coaches
Achievements
Joshua Reichard '06 (Wofford College)
Christy Core '08 (Central Florida University)
Madeline Hyatt '10 (Covenant College)
Will Roberson '13 (Queens University)
Matt Fisher '13 (Belhaven University)
Hunter Harbin '14 (Queens University)
Allan Lock '15 (Sonoma State University)
Will Ockerman '15 (USMA - West Point)
Jacob Wall '15 (Gardner Webb University)Tennis - Varsity Girls
Match Recap 10/18/2018 NCISAA Tournament Quarterfinals vs. Charlotte Latin
The Lions went head-first into yesterday's contest against the #2
seeded Hawks and put on a display of will
and skill that was a point of pride. The match was determined by the first team to score 5 points, and the Lions didn't make it easy on Latin, as they pushed the match to the three-hour mark.
Beginning with a victory at first doubles, the Hawks got on the board with an 8-3 decision over Anna Daniels and Meredith Strause, who kept their opponents guessing about the outcome despite being down 2-5. Lane Donathan and Delaney Martin experienced a brief dip in steadiness mid way through their match, but remained tough all the way, before succumbing 5-8. The Lions got one point back at #3 doubles, as Paget Barlow and Maddie Cochrane broke a near sweep of that event by the Hawks in a 7-2 tiebreak..
Down 2-1, the Lions' singles lines made their stand and statement. Incredible steadiness, shot selection and shot-making was on full display. Point 3 for the Hawks was snared by Anya Nesmalova, who frustrated Maddie Cochrane's attacks, and it was once again the 2-3-4 punch of Latin's lineup that eventually took the match. Regardless of the score, Delaney Martin put on a display of passion and effort as she shook off a first set shutout and reached 3-4 in the second, before her opponent separated for good and put Latin up 4-1.
The win at court 2 left Anna, Lane, Meredith and Viki on the hunt to close the gap in the race to 5. With the 1, 3 & 4 Hawks all up one set, huge drama was everywhere. Anna Daniels kept the Lion hopes alive even after dropping a very long 5-7 first set; Lane made the most of her steady, attacking groundstrokes and a wide range of angles off her serve to keep her match within reach, and Viki remained in steady control against her opponent. Meredith used every skill in her arsenal as she continued to fight her way to the net, and played her longest points of the season despite having the match point taken on her court.
The story of this match and this team is not found in a score or a record. The story is one of unfettered spirit, and of Lion size effort as this team grew over the course of 10 weeks. It was an incredible season that concluded with a terrific run in the NCISAA tournament. #RoarAnyway!
SINGLES: Anna Daniels(CDS) v Kate Coppage(CL) DNF; Nina Lavelle(CL) d Delaney Martin(CDS) 6-0, 6-3; Lane Donathan(CDS) v Chloe Floyd(CL) DNF; Ella Lavelle(CL) d Meredith Strause(CDS) 6-0, 6-4; Viktoria McCue v Hannah Barnes(CL) DNF; Anya Nesmelova (CL) d Maddie Cochrane(CDS) 6-0, 6-0
Match Recap 10/16/2018 NCISAA Tournament 1st Round vs Providence Day School
The Lions continued to dominate Providence Day this season as the Chargers became their first-round victims in NCISAA tournament play.
Sunday's seeding meeting held at Greensboro Day saw all six CISAA teams accepted into the draw of 12 teams - for the third straight year. CDS landed in the 7th spot, with Charlotte Christian (two 5-4 losses) securing the 4th seed, and Latin (7-2 & 5-4 losses) earning the #2 seed.
The tournament first round match would end after the 5th point was scored by either team and our girls were not to be denied, striking fast and delivering five unanswered wins. A sweep of the doubles set the short afternoon in motion. Anna Daniels and Meredith Strause put away their opponents easily, dropping just one game in the process. Paget Barlow and Maddie Cochrane were not far behind, with an 8-2 nod at an equally commanding pace. Delaney Martin and Lane Donathan found themselves in a tight battle while the 'race for 5' continued with lines 4, 5 & 1 in singles being assigned to open courts. In the meantime, Martin and Donathan overcame the break they were down at 5-6, and skillfully dragged in point 3 for CDS.
Anna Daniels then duplicated her last meeting with Providence Day, and came off court one with a 6-0, 6-0 finish to her home match career. With both Viktoria McCue and Maddie Cochrane up a set on courts 5 & 6, it was Cochrane who ended the afternoon - and the Chargers season.
With only teams seeded higher to face from this point on in the quest for a state title, the Lions will visit the #2 seeded Hawks of Charlotte Latin on Thursday at 4:15 PM. The Hawks edged the Lions 5-4 in their last meeting on Sept. 27th.
SINGLES: Anna Daniels d Molly Kerrigan 6-0, 6-0; Delaney Martin v Molly Young (DNF); Lane Donathan v Kelsey Caldwell (DNF); Meredith Strause v Lily Kestler (DNF); Viktoria McCue v Shivanjali Bhasin (DNF) Maddie Cochrane d Julia Henegar 6-1, 6-1
Match Recap 10/12/2018 vs Providence Day School
With daylight disappearing fast and the regular season even faster, the Lions picked up win number 8 against Providence Day on Friday afternoon.
Viktoria McCue set the pace with a convincing 2 & 0 win at #3 and Delaney Martin gave up just four games in handling the Charger's Molly Kerrigan at the #1 line.
Lane Donathan and Meredith Strause came off the courts with points three and four within minutes of each other. Donathan used a variety of spins and angles and Strause made very effective use of her net game once again.
Alli Burt was able to interrupt the Lion run by catching Maddie Cochrane off of her normal pace, making the kind of day for the Lion freshman that she had not experienced all season. Match honors and 5th point would fall into the hands of Emery Pikel, who rebounded after a first-set loss to even the match in the second, racing to a 10-2 tie-break victory in the third.
Daniels and Strause took line 1 doubles, and our two's of Martin and McCue followed suit in the middle of the pack. Those two wins would follow the very excellent play of Evangelina Dong and Ellie Heberton at line 3, for a sweep of the Chargers this season.
SINGLES: Delaney Martin(CDS) d Molly Kerrigan(PD) 6-2, 6-2; Lane Donathan(CDS) d Kelsey Caldwell(PD) 7-5, 6-3; Meredith Strause(CDS) d Shivanjali Bhasin (PD) 6-4, 6-2; Viktoria McCue(CDS) d Julia Henegar(PD) 6-2, 6-0; Alli Burt(PD) d Maddie Cochrane (CDS) 6-3, 7-5; Emery Pikel(CDS) d Sophie Burt(PD) 4-6, 6-2, 10-2
DOUBLES: Anna Daniels / Strause(CDS) d Kerrigan/ Caldwell(PD) 8-1; Martin / McCue(CDS) d Sterling Terrnova / Malika Rawal(PD) 8-4; Evangelina Dong / Ellie Heberton(CDS) d Kayla Mozayeni / Olivia Makemson(PD) 8-3
Match Recap 10/9/2018 vs Cannon School
Although it looked doubtful that this afternoon's match would take place, the courts dried up and the Lions served up a defeat to Cannon School for the second time this season.
Senior Co-Captains Anna Daniels and Paget Barlow made the most of their Senior Day celebration as they both put doubles points on the board. Helping to qualify one more doubles team option for the upcoming state tournament, the team of Delaney Martin and Viktoria McCue were edged out of a potential sweep of that portion of the match in a 6-8 loss.
Anna Daniels completed her season against the Cougars at first singles with a 6-0, 6-0 victory. Daniels made efficient shots just out of reach of the Cougars' Alivia Calabrase. With the start of the match delayed until the courts were dry at 4:30, the remaining singles matches were completed in waves, as they moved under the lights as courts became available.The point count continued to build for the Lions as Meredith Strause reversed a previous loss to Taylor McGibbon with a superlative straight set effort for the Lions' fourth mark. Lane Donathan took match honors with a 6-0, 6-3 victory at line three against Georgia McKay, and Viktoria McCue handled the business in straight sets at line five to secure point six. Co-captain Paget Barlow scored the seventh Lion point, sending Mia Biehler all over the court in her straight set win to end the scoring in the CDS column.
The Lion points would end there, but not their fight, as Delaney Martin turned a first set loss around, taking a powerful and gutsy Gabby Halloway to a tie break third set. Her 10-8 score in the third was worth sticking around for, as the freshman warrior held off several match points in the second set as well as in the tie-breaker. The Lions will play an away match on Thursday afternoon at Providence Day, starting at 4:00.
SINGLES: Anna Daniels(CDS) d Alivia Calabrase(CS) 6-0, 6-0; Gabby Halloway(CS) d Delaney Martin(CDS) 6-4, 5-7, 10-8; Lane Donathan(CDS) d Georgia McKay(CS) 6-0, 6-3; Meredith Strause(CDS) d Taylor McGibbon(CS) 6-4, 6-2; Viktoria McCue(CDS) d Annabel Barr(CS) 6-1, 6-4; Paget Barlow(CDS) d Mia Biehler(CS) 6-3, 6-3
Match Recap 10/4/2018 vs Charlotte Country Day
The Lions avenged a 4-5 loss to the Bucs earlier in the season by rebounding for a 7-2 win in the second matchup. After a loss at second doubles, our ones evened the score at 1-1. The Bucs increased their lead to 2-1 as their third line made a run to edge Co-Captain Paget Barlow and Maddie Cochrane by the score of 8-6.
After the final doubles' point, CDS hunkered down and swept the singles to end Country Day's scoring for the match. Co-Captain Anna Daniels made methodical work of Kate Harbrecht to even the match at 2-2. Maddie Cochrane came back from being down an early break to take her first set before Maclean Sadusky was forced to retire after a fall on game point at the beginning of the second. Delaney Martin was thorough and efficient in turning back Parker Shelton at third singles for the Lions fourth point. Viktoria McCue withstood a fierce comeback attempt by Ellie Sutker in the second set, as she took fifth singles and the all important fifth point to decide the match.
Meredith Strause continued her "take the net and take charge" tactics as she subdued the steady Sarah Swank with a three set finish to close out at line 4. After dropping a 1-6 first set to powerful Linde Fonville, Lane Donathan dug in. She forced long rallies and delivered fiery forehands to the corners as she took the tie-break second set and brought her game up yet another level, to close out Fonville 10-3 in the deciding third set tie-break.
Coach Wolbers remarked, "This was a total team effort and those not on court were especially impactful with their cheering and encouragement." The Lions look forward to hosting Cannon School on Tuesday, 10/9 at 4:15 on the CDS courts.
SINGLES: Anna Daniels(CDS) d Kate Harbrecht(CCDS) 6-1, 6-0; Delaney Martin(CDS) d Parker Shelton(CCDS) 6-3, 6-2; Lane Donathan(CDS) d Linde Forville(CCDS) 1-6, 7-6(5),10-3; Meredith Strause(CDS) d Sarah Swank(CCDS) 4-6, 6-3,10-5; Viktoria McCue (CDS) d Ellie Sutker(CCDS) 6-1, 7-6(5); Maddie Cochrane(CDS) d MacLean Sadusky(CCDS) 6-4, 1-0 (ret. inj.)
DOUBLES: Daniels / Strause(CDS) d Harbrecht / Swank(CCDS) 8-4; Shelton / Fonville(CCDS) d Donathan / Martin(CDS) 8-2; Sutker / Sadusky(CCDS) d Cochrane / Paget Barlow(CDS) 8-6
Our Varsity Lions traveled to the Russell Tennis Center to take on the Knights of Charlotte Christian on Tuesday afternoon. With the order of play changed from doubles to singles first, in order to accommodate reserved courts at the off-campus facility, the Lions could not change the outcome against Charlotte Christian for the second time this season. The 5-4 decision was another heartbreaker for a group that has showed nothing but resilience and competitiveness throughout the season.
The Knights took an early 2-0 lead and did not let the Lions feel comfortable for any length of time. Our Lions hit high notes as Meredith Strause and Lane Donathan both won their singles matches in straight sets after taking their same opponents to tie-break thirds at the last meeting. Christian tied the score with wins at 1 & 2. Maddie Cochrane pushed CDS ahead briefly, with a straight set victory at line 6, before the Knights answered with Vivian Yang's second 3-set triumph on the season over Viktoria McCue to even the match at 3 apiece.
The final surge for the win would be fought out in the doubles. Anna Daniels suffered a rare loss in
both singles and doubles as she and Meredith Strause bent to the will of
Margaret Carlton and Lilly McNally at first doubles for the Knights' 4th
point. That left our 2's Lane Donathan and Delaney Martin and 3's Paget Barlow
and Maddie Cochrane to come up with the goods. Donathan and Martin looked as
good as they ever have at several turning points, and Captain Paget Barlow would
soon become aware of the keep away game Young and Crosby were playing against
Maddie Cochrane. Lane and Delaney held off several closing moments before the
Knights earned the 5th and decisive point; Barlow took the match on her
shoulders as she and Maddie ended the afternoon with a final point in the CDS column.
SINGLES: Margaret Carlton(CC) d Anna Daniels(CDS) 3-6, 6-2,10-3; Lilly McNally(CC) d Delaney Martin(CDS) 6-3, 7-6(6); Lane Donathan (CDS) d Savannah Perry(CC) 6-3, 6-1;Meredith Strause(CDS) d Riley Warpula(CC) 6-1, 6-2; Vivian Yang(CC) d Viktoria McCue(CDS) 6-1, 6-7(5), 10-5; Maddie Cochrane(CDS) d Lara Crosby(CC) 7-6(5), 6-1
DOUBLES: Carlton / McNally(CC) d Daniels / Strause(CDS) 8-3; Perry / Warpula(CC) d Donathan / Martin(CDS) 8-3; Cochrane / Barlow(CDS) d Yang / Crosby(CC) 8-6
Match Recap 9/27 vs Charlotte Latin
The Thursday afternoon match against the Hawks of Charlotte Latin was temporarily delayed by the presence of lightning, and got underway nearly thirty minutes after it was scheduled. Our doubles' teams took the court and battled their way to a 1-2 finish. Anna Daniels and Meredith Strause started the Lions off on a positive note, reversing the loss they took to Charlotte Latin three weeks ago by an 8-6 score. The Hawks quickly responded with a win over Paget Barlow and Maddie Cochrane at #2 doubles, and then edged ahead with an identical 8-6 score of their own over Delaney Martin and Viktoria McCue.
The singles matches presented the opportunity for the Lions to turn around their fortunes versus the Hawks. Meredith Strause engaged her opponent in long, well-constructed points but came up just short at line 4. Anna Daniels countered that loss by overwhelming Kate Coppage at first singles and delivered the Lions' second point for the day. At second singles, Delaney Martin was nudged out in a very physical contest just before Viktoria McCue closed out Hannah Barnes in straight sets to give the Lions an additional point. Maddie Cochrane showed great focus and resolve as she waged a come-from-behind battle in a thrilling three-set victory at #6 singles. One cannot say enough about the courage and grit demonstrated by Lane Donathan. After coming off a two day illness, she erased the memory of an 0-6 first set and played to a tiebreak second, only to have the momentum run out at the end. On Tuesday, the team will play an away match with Charlotte Christian, starting at 4:00 at the Russell Racquet Club.
SINGLES: Anna Daniels(CDS) d Kate Coppage(CL) 6-4, 6-1; Nina Lavellle(CL) d Delaney Martin(CDS) 6-3, 6-1; Chloe Floyd(CL) d Lane Donathan(CDS) 6-0, 7-6(3); Ella Lavelle(CL) d Meredith Strause(CDS) 6-4, 6-1; Viktoria McCue(CDS) d Hannah Barnes(CL) 6-4, 6-3; Maddie Cochrane(CDS) d Anya Nesmalova(CL) 0-6, 6-2,11-9
DOUBLES: Daniels / Strause(CDS) d N. Lavelle / Floyd(CL) 8-6; Coppage / Nesmalova(CL) d Paget Barlow /Cochrane(CDS) 8-1; E. Lavelle / Catherine Clover(CL) d Martin / McCue(CDS) 8-6
Match Recap 925/2018
The Lions put on a display of some of the most complete offensive and defensive skills this season, and dominated the Chargers of Providence Day right down the line in a 9-0 victory on Tuesday.
A sweep of the doubles by the Lions set the tone for the afternoon, that extended to our 4's and 5's of Emery Pikel and Grace Kepper along with Evangelina Dong and Danielle Ketner, respectively, at exhibition lines. Anna Daniels and Meredith Strause brought in the first team point and Delaney Martin and Maddie Cochrane followed soon after. Paget Barlow and Viktoria McCue were down a break at 4-5 before overtaking Sterling Terranova and Malika Rawal and sprinting to an 8-5 finish for point three.
Co-Captain Anna Daniels kept the wheels turning with a 6-0, 6-0 victory at first singles for the fourth point, and as with our last match against Cannon, Delaney Martin once again took match honors with the fifth and deciding point. Maddie Cochrane won her second match in as many starts at #6 singles, to give the Lions their sixth point of the day. Lane Donathan was out with an illness, so Meredith Strause consistently forced the issue throughout her straight set win at #3 singles. She found success by coming in to the net as she corrected her timing in critical moments, and yielded no games lost in her second set for the seventh point. Viktoria McCue handled duties at line four, kept a steady flow of groundstrokes going, and registered a 6-0 second set for the eighth unanswered point. Co-Captain Paget Barlow was firing from all cylinders as she subdued a strong counter puncher in Shivanjali Bhasin at fifth singles to end the shutout match versus the Chargers. The Lions will be in action again on Thursday afternoon as they host the Hawks of Latin at 4:15.
SINGLES: Anna Daniels d Molly Kerrigan 6-0, 6-0; Delaney Martin d Molly Young 6-1, 6-1; Meredith Strause d Kelsey Caldwell 6-4, 6-0; Viktoria McCue d Lily Kestler 6-4, 6-0; Paget Barlow d Shivanjali Bhasin 6-4, 6-4; Maddie Cochrane d Julie Henegar 6-2, 6-1
Match Recap 9/20/2018
The Lions traveled to Concord on Thursday afternoon, ready to take on the Cannon School Cougars while also shaking off the loss at Country Day earlier in the week.
A sweep by the three doubles lines gave the team an initial boost and set the pace for the singles matches that followed. The team's 4th and 5th point for the match were quickly netted by Anna Daniels at first singles and Delaney Martin at second singles after they both scored decisive 6-0, 6-0 victories over their opponents. Viktoria McCue, Lane Donathan and Maddie Cochrane added three more points to the scoreline after registering wins on their courts as well. Next up for the Lions is a home match against the Chargers of Providence Day School on Tuesday, 9/25.
SINGLES: Anna Daniels(CDS) d Alivia Calabrase(C) 6-0, 6-0; Delaney Martin(CDS) d Georgia McKay(C) 6-0, 6-0; Lane Donathan(CDS) d Annabel Barr(C) 6-0, 6-3; Taylor McGibbon(C) d Meredith Strause(CDS) 7-5, 6-4; Viktoria McCue(CDS) d Maddie Calcagno(C) 6-2, 6-1; Maddie Cochrane(CDS) d Katherine Calcagno(C) 6-2, 6-3
DOUBLES: Daniels / Strause(CDS) d Calabrase / Barr(C) 8-1; Donathan / Martin(CDS) d McGibbon / McKay(C) 8-0; Cochrane / Paget Barlow(CDS) d M. Calcagno /Gabby Halloway(C) 8-4
Match Recap 9/18/2018 vs Charlotte Country Day
The Lady Lions found themselves fighting for the match in two, tie-break third-set contests played side-by-side at Charlotte Country Day. The Buccaneers came out with the winning edge, and handed the Lions another narrow loss of 4-5.
Anna Daniels and Meredith Strause moved through their match at first doubles with precision and power, and took the first point of the afternoon. Lane Donathan and Delaney Martin had their hands full at the second line against Kate Harbrecht and Sidney Whitfield,and dropped an 8-2 decision, as the Bucs briefly knotted the tally. Paget Barlow and Maddie Cochrane kept feeding off of each other while retaining a break lead, and registered the Lions second point, resulting in a lead of 2-1 after the doubles concluded.
The respect level was high on both sides going into the singles
and the race to the finish was on as the Lions hit the ball confidently across all of the singles' courts. Though the scores indicated otherwise,
both Delaney Martin and Lane Donathan were engaged in some of the most
competitive points witnessed this season. The length of the points and
level of passion to succeed was not reflected in the scores reported. Anna Daniels added
to the Lion lead after the doubles with a commanding win over Kate Harbrecht at
# 1. Meredith Strause was all over the court and pressed Linde Fonville
throughout her match, accented by more than a frustrating amount of games
dropped on the no ad points at #4.
With the Bucs riding a slim 4-3 lead, Viktoria McCue and Paget Barlow flipped their split sets with Sarah Swank and Ellie Sutker, respectively; McCue prevailing in the second, and Barlow, up a set, let her second set slip in a tie break. With the match score at 4-3, two super tiebreaks would hold the fortunes of both teams. Despite the opportunities to win both tie-break third sets, the identical scores of 10-5 on both courts were split; and the Bucs came out the victors this time.
SINGLES: Anna Daniels(CDS) d Kate Harbrecht(CCDS) 6-1, 6-1; Sidney Whitfield(CCDS) d Delaney Martin(CDS) 6-0, 6-1; Parker Shelton(CCDS) d Lane Donathan(CDS) 6-1, 6-1; Linde Fonville(CCDS) d Meredith Strause(CDS) 6-1, 6-3; Viktoria McCue(CDS) d Sarah Swank(CCDS) 4-6, 6-1, 10-5; Elle Sutker(CCDS) d Paget Barlow(CDS) 4-6, 7-6(4), 10-5
DOUBLES: Daniels / Strause(CDS) d Whitfield / Shuford(CCDS) 8-3; Shelton / Parker(CCDS) d Donathan / Martin(CDS) 8-2; Barlow / Maddie Cochrane(CDS) d L.Sasz / Fonville(CCDS) 8-6
Match Recap 9/13/2018 vs Charlotte Christian
Our Varsity Lions played a tight match against another CISAA team on Thursday, 9/13, by hosting Charlotte Christian on the CDS courts. The Knights scored the first two points of the afternoon as our 1st and 2nd doubles teams fell short, before the Lions pulled in a point at 3rd doubles behind a victory by Paget Barlow and Maddie Cochrane.
In singles action, Anna Daniels took a straight-set win from Margaret Carlton in a crucial match to equalize the score versus the Knights. Meredith Strause battled at 3rd singles to rebound from a first set loss and upended her opponent in a tie-break third set, to secure a third point for the Lions. Lane Donathan worked overtime for the team's fourth point by outlasting Samantha Perry in a 10-7 third set. While the Knights came out on the winning end of the results this week, the Lions are eager to see them again later in the season to seek a reversal in the scoreline. Next week, the team will play an away match at Charlotte Country Day on Tuesday and at Cannon on Thursday.
SINGLES: Anna Daniels(CDS) d Margaret Carlton(CC) 7-5, 6-2; Lilly McNally(CC) d Delaney Martin(CDS) 7-6, 6-4; Lane Donathan(CDS) d Samantha Perry(CC) 7-5, 5-7, 10-7; Meredith Strause(CDS) d Riley Warpula(CC) 1-6, 6-3, 10-3; Vivian Yang(CC) d Viktoria McCue(CDS) 4-6, 6-3, 10-4; Lara Crosby(CC) d Paget Barlow(CDS) 6-3, 6-3
DOUBLES: Carlton / McNally(CC) d Daniels / Strause(CDS) 8-6; Perry / Warpula(CC) d Donathan / Martin(CDS) 8-5; Barlow / Cochrane(CDS) d Crosby / Yang(CC) 9-8
Match Recap 9/8/2018 vs Cary Academy
The Varsity team took to the road for an away match on Saturday, Sept. 8th in Cary. Under humid and heavy skies, the Lions got things rolling early with Anna Daniels and Meredith Strause taking command of an 8-3 decision in first doubles. Lane Donathan and Delaney Martin handled the Chargers at the number 2 line with some gutsy rundowns and miraculous retrievals for the Lions' second point. Though Paget Barlow and Maddie Cochrane struggled to close games at the outset of their challenge, they made a forceful run at third line, but came up shy with a 6-8 loss.
Predictions of rain threatened to cut the match short and the Lions knew it was imperative to quickly notch three wins in singles to score a mathematical victory in case weather interrupted play. Anna Daniels shut out Georgiana Moorehead at first singles, and Lane Donathan displayed patience and confidence while dispensing Ava Hsu at the #3 singles to score the Lions' fourth point. Delaney Martin was the next player off the court, after she brought in the fifth and deciding point with a well-played and much deserved victory. Both Paget Barlow and Victoria McCue showed renewed confidence and consistency in their target areas, and yielded the Lions' final points for the day.The victory ended the Lions' drought versus the Chargers dating back to 2013.
SINGLES: Anna Daniels(CDS) d Georgiana Moorehead(CA) 6-0, 6-0; Delaney Martin(CDS) d Sydney Tai(CA) 6-2, 6-2; Lane Donathan(CDS) d Ava Hsu(CA) 6-1, 6-0; Kate Sanchez(CA) d Meredith Strause(CDS) 6-3, 7-5; Viktoria McCue(CDS) d Haley Harris(CA) 6-3, 6-4; Paget Barlow(CDS) d Sophia Taylor(CA) 6-3, 6-1
Match Recap 9/6/2018 vs. Charlotte Latin
Our Lady Lions traveled to Charlotte Latin to take on their first CISAA opponent of the regular season. The Hawks have seen an infusion of talent since last year, and took down the Lions 7-2 in the Thursday afternoon matchup. Latin used some effective serving and angles to open up volley opportunities that allowed them to sweep the doubles, despite an array of well-paced exchanges from the Lions' side of the net.
As they headed into the singles matches down 0-3, the Lions showed resilience and pride in one another as they dug in and forced the Hawks to earn every point. Anna Daniels broke Latin's point run with a commanding victory over Katie Coppage at first singles, and Viktoria McCue brought in the Lions only other point for the match, with a thrilling 3-set victory at line 5.
The Lions will hit the road for their next match as they travel to Cary Academy on Saturday for a 3:00 match.
SINGLES: Anna Daniels(CDS) d Kate Coppage(L) 6-2, 6-1; Nina Lavelle(L) d Delaney Martin(CDS) 6-4, 6-4; Chloe Floyd(L) d Lane Donathan(CDS) 6-3, 6-4; Ella Lavelle(L) d Meredith Strause(CDS) 6-2, 6-3; Viktoria McCue(CDS) d Hannah Barnes(L) 3-6, 6-3, 10-8; Anya Nesmodova(L) d Paget Barlow(CDS) 6-4, 6-0
DOUBLES: N. Lavelle / Floyd(L) d Barlow / Daniels(CDS) 8-3; Coppage / Nesmodova(L) d Donathan / Strause(CDS) 8-3;E. Lavelle / Catherine Clover(L) d Martin / Maddie Cochrane(CDS) 8-5
Match Recap 8/29/2018 vs. Wesleyan Christian Academy
After the Lions put on a stunning display at all three doubles lines and raced to a 3-0 lead, this afternoon's singles lineup was equally stunned; as they dropped all six lines in a 3-6 loss to Wesleyan Christian Academy.
Delaney Martin and Maddie Cochrane quickly brought in the Lions first point; Lane Donathan and Meredith Strause took the second soon after. Anna Daniels and Paget Barlow turned back Brinley Bell and Raegan Isenhour's late surge to avenge the first doubles' only dual match loss of last season.
Wesleyan's girls were down, but not out, as they worked their way through a previously untested lineup at lines 4-6, and displayed some amazing toughness in taking lines 1-3 to tie-break third sets.
In a battle between arguably two of the state's top independent school players, Anna Daniels fell a few inches wide of the sidelines on two critical occasions in her dramatic loss to Brinley Bell. Paget Barlow fought her way back with a monster 6-0 response to being down after the first set, and Viktoria McCue made a tremendous stand before her tie break ended under the lights. The Lions will open CISAA conference play next week as they head to Charlotte Latin on Thursday for a 4:15 matchup.
SINGLES: Brinley Bell(WCA) d Anna Daniels(CDS) 6-2, 3-6, 10-7; MacLean Redmond(WCA) d Paget Barlow(CDS) 6-4,0-6, 10-4; Raegan Isenhour(WCA) d Viktoria McCue(CDS) 2-6, 7-6(2), 10-4; Mackenzie Gilliat(WCA) d Evangelina Dong(CDS) 6-4, 6-0; Sara Beth Bulla(WCA) d Emma Irwin(CDS) 6-0, 6-1; Gracie LeFever(WCA) d Ellie Heberton(CDS) 6-1, 6-1
Match Recap 8/27/2018 vs. SouthLake Christian
With an opportunity to take advantage of our depth through the roster, and the gift of a cloud layer between the players and 95 degree temperatures above it, the Lions chalked up their second win on the season over Southlake Christian.
Once again, our 'threes' of Delaney Martin and Maddie Cochrane pulled in the first point of the match with an 8-0 win. Co-captains Paget Barlow and Anna Daniels took the second with an 8-4 victory, and Lane Donathan and Meredith Strause also remained undefeated as they completed a sweep of the doubles.
Viktoria McCue picked up where she left off on Saturday, and was even more consistent in the strike zone, forcing Susanna McIntyre from corner to corner, and registered a 6-0, 6-0 win for the Lions' fourth point. Emery Pikel delivered the match point with a thorough command of Claire Bledsoe at the #5 singles line, and freshmen Danielle Ketner and Grace Kepper added frosting to the cake with wins at lines 4 and 6. Ketner retrieved and extended point after point, eventually breaking down the consistency of Katie Winton. Kepper solved some first set serving frustrations and cruised past Bella Carr in the second set. Paget Barlow found little rhythm in her forehand, but showed tremendous desire to stay in her fight at second singles before succumbing in an extended second set, for the Eagles' only point of the afternoon. Evangelina Dong and Emma Irwin handled both their off-lineup opponents with expediency. Next up for the Lions is a Wednesday afternoon matchup with Wesleyan Christian at 4:30 pm on the CDS courts.
SINGLES: Anna Daniels(CDS) d Brooke Murphy(SC) 6-1, 6-3; Lindsay Capps(SC) d Paget Barlow(CDS) 6-0, 7-5; Viktoria McCue(CDS) d Susanna McIntyre(SC) 6-0, 6-0; Danielle Ketner(CDS) d Kate Winton(SC) 6-2, 6-3; Emery Pikel(CDS) d Claire Bledsoe(SC) 6-2, 6-1; Grace Kepper(CDS) d Bella Carr(SC) 6-2, 6-3
Match Recap 8/25/2018 vs. Greensboro Day
On a hot and sunny Saturday, the Lions opened their season against the Bengals of Greensboro
Day. Though GDS was depleted at a few spots in their lineup due
to SAT testing and other commitments, the Bengals were still at full strength at 1
& 2 singles and doubles with very competitive girls at most of their
other lines.
After dropping a jittery first game and receiving a few words of
encouragement, the freshman duo of
Maddie Cochrane and Delaney Martin registered eight
straight games to capture the first point and match of the season at third
doubles. Our 'twos' of Lane Donathan and Meredith Strauss found their form and
cruising gear, and delivered the second
point. Senior co-captains, Anna Daniels and Paget Barlow had their hands full against sisters Kendall and Tenley Parr, but broke through
at 7-all to complete a doubles sweep for the important momentum grabber.
Delaney Martin made a smooth transition from doubles to start the singles competition, and scored a shutout to notch point number four for the Lions. Returning All-Stater, Anna Daniels, showed strong form in dispatching Kendall Parr for the match winner at #1 singles. Meredith Strause demonstrated the importance of conditioning after dropping a first set, only to go up 5-0 in the second as her opponent succumbed to the heat and retired from play. The Bengals extracted wins at #2 and # 3 singles, but not before Lane Donathan had recorded the Lions' 7th point of the contest between them. The Lions emerged with a solid 7-2 victory, and look forward to hosting the Eagles of SouthLake on Monday, Aug. 27th.
SINGLES: Anna Daniels(CDS) d Kendall Parr(GDS) 6-0, 6-3; Tenley Parr(GDS) d Paget Barlow(CDS) 6-0, 6-1; Adeline Wood(GDS) d Viktoria McCue(CDS) 7-5, 3-6, 11-9; Lane Donathan(CDS) d Greta Anderson(GDS) 6-3, 6-4; Meredith Strause(CDS) d Hanes Robinson(GDS) 4-6, 5-0 (ret.); Delaney Martin(CDS) d Sara McCorkle(GDS) 6-0, 6-0