Photo Courtesy of Our Lady of MercyFayetteville
Our Lady of Mercy Girls Embark On Historic Tennis Run
Published April 28, 2011
Our Lady of Mercy High School’s Lady Bobcats tennis team continued its post-season run on Tuesday, April 26, with a 3-2 victory over George Walton Academy, Monroe, in the first round of the Class A state tournament. The girls are making school history by becoming the first Mercy tennis team to reach the “Sweet 16” of the state tournament.
At the tournament, held at George Walton, Brandi Nelson and Tayler Murray, Mercy’s number 1 and number 2 singles players, respectively, won in straight sets for a second consecutive match. Mercy’s number 1 doubles team of Endia Yates and Alison Nagaj lost to George Walton even though they rallied from 1-4 down to 3-4 in the second set. The number 2 doubles team of Lauren Jones and Jenny Bui lost a first set tiebreaker 6-8 and dropped the second set. Mercy’s number 3 singles player, Jordan Hameen, won her match in straight sets to send the Mercy girls on to the next round.
“At the beginning of the year, the girls had to write down their main goal for the season. Every girl wrote ‘make it to state’,” said Head Coach Monica Haaland. “I think they now understand just how special this journey is and what a great opportunity they have earned. This amazing group of ten girls has made Mercy history. I’m so proud of them for reaching their goal and surpassing it.”
Before spring break, the Lady Bobcats had a record of 6-2. Since then, the team has played five matches in two weeks and has gone 4-1. In the next match the team will face Mount Pisgah Christian School, Johns Creek, at the Country Club of Roswell for a chance to advance to the “Elite Eight” round of the state tournament.