Walker Valley’s Megan Smith didn’t want to play a third set against Ooltewah’s Caroline Denton.
So the Lady Mustangs senior rebounded for a win in No. 1 singles and, with her twin sister Amanda in doubles, helped clinch Walker Valley’s third straight Region 3-AAA championship Thursday at the Racquet Club.
The Lady Mustangs (13-1) beat Ooltewah 4-1 in the championship match, held at the club’s indoor courts because of rain. In postseason team format, four match victories secure team wins.
The Lady Owls ended the season 8-4 overall. Walker Valley advances to a Class AAA state sectional next week.
“This is big, especially for our seniors,” said first-year coach Chris Green. “Finishing out on top was a goal, and it’s been our toughest road this year to win region. We had some tight matches that could’ve gone either way. These girls always find a way to come back and win.”
Walker Valley won the District 5-AAA team title after winning the league individual tournament by two points and beating regular-season champ Cleveland 5-4 in a playoff match Tuesday.
Megan Smith won her first set, 6-3, against Denton, a 2006 TSSAA state singles semifinalist, but fell behind 5-2 in the second set. She fought back to a tie at 6 and won the tiebreaker 7-4.
“I kept thinking that I didn’t want to play a third set,” she said. “It was so hot in the indoor courts, so I just kept all my balls in and tried to get her frustrated.”
“This is really big for us, winning it three years in a row. We’re happy to make it past region.”
The Smiths clinched the match victory for Lady Mustangs with an 8-4 No. 1 doubles victory over Denton and Miller.
Amanda Smith beat Ooltewah’s Kelly Miller at No. 3, 6-2, 6-1. At No. 2, Walker Valley’s Hannah Ervin defeated Hollie Whitener, 6-3, 6-0.
Katie Woodham had the victory for Ooltewah, outlasting Amanda Holton at No. 4 singles, 6-7(5-7), 6-4, 6-2.
“Our girls really stepped up their game today,” Ooltewah coach Ken Buchanan said. “Even though they lost this, they played at a higher level than I’ve seen them play in a while.”
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