The Columbus North girls tennis sectional semifinal team matches were decided just before the rain swept in to postpone the remaining matches, and the host Bull Dogs will meet Columbus East in today’s final.
North was leading Edinburgh 4-0, with the No. 2 doubles match still going on when play was suspended. With the Bull Dogs having clinched the team victory, that No. 2 doubles match will not be completed.
The Olympians lead Hauser 3-0 with both doubles matches incomplete. With East having clinched the team victory, the No. 2 doubles match will not be completed. But since the No. 1 doubles winner will have a chance to advance in the state doubles tournament, their match will resume at 4:30 p.m. today.
North (18-4), which is tied for No. 8 in this week’s state rankings, and East (12-6) will meet for the championship after that match is completed.
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In the No. 1 doubles match, the Olympians’ Cristina Marco and Ayano Nomura won the first set 6-4 against Hauser’s Carly Archer and Maddy Archer. East led the second set 6-5 before the rain and lightning came.
"They started to come back, and I was really happy with that," Hauser coach Molly Crabtree said. "Hopefully, they can come back (today) and fight and hopefully move on."
The Olympians swept the three singles positions. At No. 1 singles, Kathryn Hodzen downed Abby Johnson in straight sets. Megna Chari topped Melanie Taylor in straight sets at No. 2 singles, and Louna Prince defeated Andie Clark in straight sets at No. 3 singles.
The No. 2 doubles match between East’s Catherine Millwood and Emie Kiser and Aunaka Wasil and Brooke Hopkins of the Jets (7-8) had just begun when the rains hit.
"We’re going to have to play our best matches of the season (against North)," East coach Matt Malinsky said. "We’ll have to play incredibly well, and hopefully, it’s good enough in three of the five spots."
North’s Ashlie Wilson topped Haley Jones at No. 1 singles, and Eva Chevalier downed Annelise Lollar at No. 2 singles, both by 6-0, 6-0 scores. At No. 3 singles, Shweta Srinivasan defeated Sophia Parmer 6-0, 6-1.
At No. 1 doubles, the Bull Dogs’ Ali Bergman and Jaline Tay won against Haven Link and Emily Chappelow 6-0, 6-0. At No. 2 doubles, North’s Tiffany Fu and Servane Cloteaux were ahead of Katie Roberts and Bethany Burton 6-1, 4-0 of the Lancers (2-13) when it was called.
"We worked on things that we needed to work on that will help us with better competition," North coach Kendal Hammel said.
