Tennessee: Many happy returns in GPS three-peat

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — GPS’s Meredith Morrow kept her cool on the tennis court.

Her comeback in a tough singles match helped the Bruisers win their third straight Division II-AA state team championship Wednesday at Middle Tennessee State University.

GPS beat Hutchison 4-1 to complete the season undefeated at 15-0.

Morrow clinched the championship win by outlasting Cary Cowart, 6-4, 1-6, 6-4 in the No. 5 position. The sophomore fought back from a 4-3 deficit in the third set.

“The match was nervewracking, but I knew I had to keep my cool — stay cool and be more consistent with my shots,” Morrow said. “At first I was being impatient and making a lot of errors, so I decided to take my time with each point and get her frustrated.”

GPS’ Claire Bartlett, Sarah Evans and Ann Elizabeth Holley also had wins in singles. Caroline Orr had Hutchison’s victory.

“We knew it was going to be a tough match, because Hutchison is young but talented,” GPS coach Sue Bartlett said. “We have our strengths at the top with Claire and Sarah, but we knew somebody was going to have to win it at Nos. 4 and 5.”