WILMINGTON – The Wilmington High School girls tennis team suffered its first SBAAC American Division loss of the season Thursday to Goshen, 3-2, on the WHS courts.

Wilmington is 7-2 overall and 3-1 in the American Division.

“I’m extremely proud of all of our players,” WHS coach Doug Cooper said. “Goshen is a team that went undefeated in the SBC American Division last year, and have their entire team back. Tonight, we lost the first set on four courts, and on three of them came back to force a third set.”

Claire Burns stayed unbeaten on the year with a 6-1, 6-3 win at second singles.

“Very late in the match there were three contested courts with Claire having won second singles and Goshen having won third singles,” said Cooper. “It was up for grabs until the very end.”

Zane Bekheet and Kristina Walt rallied from a set down to win a lengthy match 1-6, 6-2, 7-6 (7-4).

“Allie (Kees), Emma (Schroeder) and Jenna (Taylor), and Zane and Kristina all rallied on their three courts in the second set to get us back into the match,” said Cooper. “I was proud of the entire team for how well they prepared for this match over the summer, throughout this season, and even today. Everyone was acutely aware of how important this match was, what an underdog we were, and still put themselves in a position to win in a tough third set against a championship team. I cannot ask any more of my players than that.”

Despite the loss, Cooper is confident his team can still claim an SBAAC title.

“One of the things I love about this conference is the parity in each of the divisions and the season format that allows each team to play heads-up twice, and still have to perform in a tournament format,” he said. “It is by far the best way to determine a champion. We still get two more chances to challenge the defending champs.

“We are halfway through our season. At this point last year we had a losing record (3-6) overall and 1-2 in in the SBC. Now we are 7-2 (3-1) with every chance still available to contend for a conference championship.”

SUMMARY

Aug 30 2018

@Wilmington High School

Goshen 3 Wilmington 2

Singles

• Allie Kees was def by Clifton 3-6, 7-5, 2-6

• Claire Burns def Middick 6-1, 6-3

• Rachel Barker was def by Price 5-7, 2-6

Doubles

• Emma Schroeder, Jenna Taylor were def by Huhn, Salmons 4-6, 7-5, 2-6

• Zane Bekheet, Kristina Walt def Horr, Velagic 1-6, 6-2, 7-6 (7-4)