By By BRIAN HAINES
Sports Writer
The Washington tennis team celebrated Senior Night with an emphatic 9-0 win over South Central on Thursday. The victory not only upped the undefeated Pam Pack’s winning streak to 16 games, but also handed Washington the Coastal Conference championship.
“It’s a great feeling, I love winning anyway, but it’s extra sweet (for the team to win the conference) on Senior Night,” Washington co-coach Beth Pippin said. “It’s just been a great year all around.”
After the win over the Coastal Conference foe Falcons, the Pam Pack celebrated seniors Hayley Stowe, Janie Page Tierra Locklear, D’Lorah Pierce, Shannon Niederhauser, Mary Potocki and Mary Margaret Fowle with a decorated cake and gifts.
It was a nice team moment that displayed the friendly vibe that has helped carry the club to a perfect 16-0 (13-0) record.
“Chemistry is a big part of this team,” Washington co-coach Michelle Elks said. “These girls have been together for a long time, especially the seniors. Their chemistry has been built over the years, and in the last two years we have seen a lot of maturity. They’re a good group that loves being together and playing tennis.”
The Pam Pack got off to a hot start as it swept through singles play. No. 1 seed Beth Batchelor topped Molly Hostetter 6-1, 6-3, No. 2 seed Hayley Stowe beat Brittany Brown 7-6, 6-3, No. 3 seed Janie Page knocked off Hanna Hines 6-2, 6-4, No. 4 seed D’Lorah Pierce rolled past Mayee Zhue 6-1 6-0, No. 5 seed Tierra Locklear topped Keely Johanson 6-0, 6-2 and No. 6 seed Shannon Niederhauser slide by Mary Councin 6-2, 6-1.
Stowe played the most entertaining match of the day, one that lasted over an hour-and-a-half, as she overcame a slow start to remain undefeated on the season.
Stowe had not played Brown in the team’s first match this season, and had to adjust to playing an opponent she had not planned for.
“She started out thinking about how to beat the one player, and it was a different person she had to face,” Pippin said. “It was a completely different match, and I don’t think she expected (Brown) to be as good as she was. But Hayley is mentally tough. She pulled out the tie-breaker and won the match.”
In doubles play, Locklear and Page dominated Brown and Zhue. Locklear had one of her better matches of the season as she was strong at the net and did a nice job tracking down deep balls.
Batchelor and Stowe rolled past Hostetter and Hines 8-1, while Pierce and Niederhauser cruised past Johanson and Councin 8-3.
In the exhibition matches, Potocki and Fowle won in doubles plays, while Tatum Edwards and Page Ingalls won their singles match.
After the match, Pippin and Elks praised their seniors.
“These seniors are a good group and have the highest GPA out of any sports team at Washington High School,” Elks said. “They are not only athletes, but they are great students.”
Pippin said the fact the girls play other sports increased their productivity on the tennis court.
“They are very versatile, we have a lot of girls that not only play tennis, but play other sports too,” Pippin said. “That helps us a lot because they are athletic and always competing. “
The Pam Pack will try to secure and undefeated regular season on Monday when it plays its season finale at White Oak.