As Ansley Rogers plunged into the third set of her Class A/AA sectional match against Red Bank’s Danielle Moore on Thursday, Chattanooga Christian tennis coach Sue Webb decided to start the doubles matches — as it was going to take one more win to clinch a state berth.
Turns out, she didn’t need to.
Rogers went on to defeat Moore 6-1 in the deciding set to seal the Lady Chargers’ win, 4-1, over the Lady Lions. CCS (10-2) will face Christ Presbyterian Academy at 2 p.m. EDT Tuesday in the semifinals of the state tournament at Old Fort State Park.
Ellie Henry, Emily Burke and Gretchen Rowe had the other three CCS victories in singles, while Megan Long claimed Red Bank’s win.
“I’m excited,” CCS senior captain Bena Devaney said. “Our team is stronger this year than we were last, so I think we have a better chance.”
Henry and Rowe led Red Bank’s Long and Ivory Conley 6-2 in No. 1 doubles, while Burke and Devaney were ahead 3-2 when the match was called.
Devaney admitted she was nervous about Rogers’ match.
“We all wanted to watch her,” she said. “We didn’t want to have to play doubles.”
Said Webb: “I told the girls they needed to concentrate on their matches and not worry about Ansley. Red Bank is a good team, and we knew it was going to be tough to get the win.”
* Class AAA: The McMinn County boys defeated Murfreesboro Siegel 4-1 in a sectional Thursday at Old Fort to return to the state tournament, after missing out last season.
“I thought we played well,” McMinn coach Susan Ray said. “All season, our biggest strength is that we are solid at every spot. Our depth has been as asset and we proved that today. I’m pleased with how we stayed so focused.”