Grant Allen

Reporter

On Wednesday, September 28^th, the South Girls tennis team accomplished something huge by winning the district finals, something they hadn’t accomplished since 1994. A first for everyone on the team, including Coach Jake Estep.

Going into Wednesday’s match, South was the underdog. They were facing off against Grain Valley, the number one team in the district. For the last two years, South had lost to Grain Valley in the district finals. On top of that, the South team was beaten badly by Grain Valley earlier this season by a score of 7-2.

Despite what may have seemed like impossible odds, Coach Jake Estep never lacked confidence in his team, saying, “We approached this match with the attitude that we wouldn’t let our past losses to Grain Valley effect how we played.”

With four Seniors on Varsity, it was the possible last chance to play as a team for many of the girls. The stakes couldn’t have been higher. Knowing that full well, the girls took advantage of their greatest strengths. Their doubles play and patience paid off, and they emerged ahead 2-1 at the end of doubles play.

The team’s number one player, senior Tiffany Davenport said, “When we came out ahead with a record of 2-1 in doubles, I was confident that we could win.” And that they did, going on to win 5-3.

“This has been the team’s goal from the beginning of the year,” Davenport said. With that in mind the team celebrated by fulfilling a promise that Coach Estep made them at the beginning of the year in their very own, Salvador Perez inspired, South Splash by dumping water on Coach Estep.

Since then, senior Savannah Martin and junior Sierra Mann took first in individual doubles and will advance onto sectionals. Tiffany Davenport took third and fellow senior Nicole Nelson took fourth in district seniors, but will not advance to sectional play.

The next team match is Saturday, October 8^th at Park Hill South, where the girls will be facing off against Lee’s Summit West.