James Buchanan claims 2 Mid Penn girls tennis crowns

James Buchanan crowned a pair of champions Friday at the Mid Penn Conference Class AA girls tennis tournament.

Meridyth Sanders claimed a title at No. 2 singles, defeating Olivia Otstot of East Pennsboro, 7-5, 4-6, 6-4 in the final.

At No. 2 doubles, the JB team of Leah Wingert and Amber Clark earned a tight decision over Makayla Burkholder and Christine Tully of Bishop McDevitt, 7-6 (7-4), 6-4.

Rocket coach Terri Beegle said, "Meridyth's match went about 2 hours and 40 minutes. She played great defense and kept it in play, and made fewer mistakes. She played steady in all areas."

Sanders finished her season with a sparkling 18-0 record.

Wingert and Clark had a chance to blow the McDevitt team away, holding 5-0 leads in each set.

"That McDevitt team had only one loss and that was to Leah and Amber," Beegle said. "But they made it tough on me today."

At No. 1 singles, Rachel Martin faced Trinity's Katheryn Long for the third time, hoping to turn it around from two previous losses, but Long dominated, 6-0, 6-1 in the final. Martin still qualified for the District 3 Tournament, which begins next Friday.

Martin and Maggie Strawoet were trying to reach the district doubles tourney, but were defeated twice Friday and placed fourth.

Mid Penn Class AA Girls Tennis
Friday's Results
SINGLES
No. 1 -- Final, Katheryn Long (Trinity) d Rachel Martin (James Buchanan), 6-0, 6-1
No. 2 -- Final, Meridyth Sanders (JB) d Olivia Otstot (East Pennsboro), 7-5, 4-6, 6-4
DOUBLES
District qualifier -- Semifinal, Maddie Young-Lexie Foreman (B.McDevitt) d Martin-Maggie Strawoet (JB), 6-1, 6-3; Consolation, Madison Poladian-Otstot (EP) d Martin-Strawoet (JB), 6-1, 6-0
No. 2 -- Final, Leah Wingert-Amber Clark (JB) d Makayla Burkholder-Christine Tully (McDev), 7-6 (7-4), 6-4.