GHS tennis reaches 2nd round of state

Gilmer High’s tennis season concluded with a trip to the Sweet 16.

The GHS Bobcats and Lady Cats both took the court for the state event last week.

The Lady Cats kicked off their tournament Tuesday as a No. 3 seed and traveled to No. 2 seeded LaFayette and defeated the Ramblers, 3-2. The Cats were back on the road Thursday for the second round versus Oconee County and were topped, 3-0.

The Bobcats downed Rockmart a week prior in the first round and made their way to Westminster School Wednesday and fell to the Wildcats, 3-0.

The Lady Cats’ first round victory was sparked by a pair of wins on the singles court. Beth Burnette notched a 6-4, 6-2 win in the No. 2 spot and No. 3 Emma Callihan won 6-0, 6-3.

Lady Cats Ellie Teague and Jenna Cole came out on top in the opening set of their No. 2 doubles match, 6-4. Following a 6-2 loss, they sealed Gilmer’s victory with a 6-2 triumph.

LaFayette garnered a win over Gilmer’s No. 1 single Hope Colwell, 6-0, 6-0. The GHS tandem of Morgan White and Jessica Futch dropped their No. 1 doubles match 6-3, 6-3.

The match versus Oconee was stopped as soon as the team win was secured. Oconee earned a win over Colwell (6-0, 6-0), Burnette (6-2, 6-3) and the doubles team of White and Futch (6-0, 6-2).

Callihan’s match was called in the second set down, 3-2. She lost the first set, 7-5. Teague and Cole’s match was halted as well. They were defeated in the opening set 7-5 and were behind 4-1 in the second.

The Bobcats faced a formidable Westminster squad and were limited to winning two games. Bobcat Kaden Reece was defeated 6-1, 6-1 in the No. 2 singles position.

The Wildcats earned wins over Gilmer’s top single Brett Becker, No. 3 single Bryson Sisson and the doubles teams of Isaac Bradshaw and Law Lykins and Gavin Berger and Ethan Cole without losing a game.

The Bobcats posted an 11-7 record on the season and the Lady Cats were 9-9.