Bishop England puts end to Aynor tennis’ dream season
The climb to championship glory can sometimes prove to be one heck of a process.
Claiming its first Region VIII-AA crown since 2009, the Aynor girls tennis team seemed primed to continue its ascension up the ranks, making its title dreams a reality.
Unfortunately for the Blue Jackets, this dream lacked a fairytale ending.
Four-time defending Class AA champion Bishop England put an end to a banner year for Aynor, claiming a 6-0 victory in Tuesday’s Lower State finals. The Bishops advance to Saturday’s state final in Cayce.
“Of course, we would have liked to move on, but Bishop England is a tough team and well deserving,” said Aynor tennis coach Marcella Toth. “Despite how it finished, I am mighty pleased with our season and what this team has done.”
Tuesday’s event offered a bit of history for Aynor, marking the first time the tennis program hosted the Lower State AA final matchup.
“It really meant a lot to have it here,” Toth said. “Having Lower State at home, the first region championship since 2009, it was a great season we will remember for some time.”
But it will be Bishop England that moves on.
“It was a good match, Aynor is a good team,” Bishop England coach Kristin Arnold said. “… Obviously, there were butterflies, with it being Lower State. So it was good for the girls to get out and get acclimated, playing a team that was consistent and very good at what they do.”
A pair of juniors led the way for Bishop England, as Jenna Vroman and Camryn Deames took down Lady Jacket seniors Gentry Johnston and Heleana Toth in straight sets. The Bishops’ Gabrielle Dacuba, Emily Elliott and Lilly Woods also made quick work in picking up wins.
The tandem of Drue Ranson and Mary Kollyn Lewis finished things off by claiming a victory in doubles over Aynor’s Rebekah Altman and Carson Raediels.
“This meant a lot to our girls,” Arnold said. “From day one of practice it was our ultimate goal (winning a state title), so we’re excited that every day we are getting closer to it.
“One more win for us will be five in a row.”
Tuesday’s result drew the curtain on the prep career of Aynor seniors Johnston and Heleana Toth, program mainstays since both were in the seventh grade.
“Our season was really good, and all of our girls tried really hard,” Heleana Toth said. “Making Lower State was a real benefit to us. We never made it ever before, so making it was awesome for us.”
Said Johnston: “We’ve left (Aynor tennis underclassmen) with a lot of confidence. We helped pick them up the best we could. From here on out, they can say ‘Hey, let’s go, let’s fight … we can do this.’ ”
▪ Singles: Jenna Vroman (BE) def. Gentry Johnston (AYN) 6-1, 6-1; Camryn Deames (BE) def. Heleana Toth (AYN) 6-2, 6-1; Gabrielle Dacuba (BE) def. Shelley Baker (AYN) 6-0, 6-2; Emily Elliott (BE) def. Sarah Grace Evans (AYN) 6-1, 6-0; Rilee Rabon (BE) def. Lilly Woods (AYN) 6-1, 6-0.
▪ Doubles: D. Ranson/M.K. Lewis (BE) def. Rebekah Altman/Carson Raediels 6-0, 6-1.
This story was originally published November 10, 2015 at 10:47 PM with the headline "Bishop England puts end to Aynor tennis’ dream season."