CM girls’ tennis are champs yet again

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MILL HALL - It was another cool, sunny day in this season of fall. The players on this chilly Monday were the Central Mountain girls' tennis team.

The Lady Wildcats shared a special night as the seniors celebrated their Senior Night. Also on this special night, the seniors shared their second straight Mountain League title as they defeated Central High School 5-2. The Lady Wildcats stayed undefeated with their sixth win, leaving them 6-0 in the Mountain League and 6-4 overall record.

"It was nice to win the Mountain League for the second straight year," Lady Wildcat head coach Peter Wert said. "It was great to see the girls have something to hang their hats on and have success throughout the season and have another winning season."

And a winning season it was for Wert as he had strong senior leaders and great supporting underclassmen. It showed in last night's match.

Sophomores Chelsea Miller and Courtney Mayes pulled out two big wins for their team as senior Megan Spangler came away with a win as well. And through the first five girls, Central Mountain had the overall lead of 3-2.

Only one more win was needed out of either of the doubles' matches remaining, and the Lady Wildcats would be crowned with the Mountain League title.

Well, the girls' team did one better by wining both of their doubles' matches and securing the league championship.

After a hard-fought match in singles, senior Andrea Miller bounced back with her partner Spangler as they defeated No. 1 singles' winner Renee Pullen and Katelyn Piper. As for the other team, seniors Cerri Smith and Stephanie Rathgeber defeated another singles winner, Rachel Smith, and Katlyn Hammand.

"Overall, we had a good season this year by beating the teams we thought we would beat and doing our best against the bigger schools," Central head coach John Riley commented. "And with doubles districts coming this Friday, I'm pretty confident in my team to do well against schools our size."

Central is not the only school having lots of confidence heading into Friday's doubles districts. Central Mountain is also ready to take on the doubles district with a pumped attitude.

"I feel so excited heading into Friday's doubles districts," senior Andrea Miller said. "I feel very confident because I have my partner Megan (Spangler) with me and we work together so well on the court and we both have a good feeling about Friday."

With the emotional win on Senior Night, the Lady Wildcats still have one more test on Wednesday against Bucktail, a game which was postponed earlier in the season. This will be another home match for the Lady Wildcats. It will be the last time this group of talented seniors take to the court as Central Mountain Lady Wildcats.

Mountain League

CENTRAL MOUNTAIN 5, CENTRAL 2

Singles

1. Renee Pullen, CH, def. Chelsey Williams, 6-2, 6-3

2. Rachel Smith, CH, def. Andrea Miller, 6-3, 6-4

3. Chelsea Miller, CM, def. Katelyn Piper, 6-4, 6-1

4. Megan Spangler, CM, def. Katlyn Hammand, 6-3, 6-0

5. Courtney Mayes, CM, def. Leah Stiles, 6-0, 6-1

Doubles

1. Cerri Smith-Steph Rathgeber, CM, def. Smith-Hammand, 8-3

2. Andrea Miller-Megan Spangler, CM, def. Pullen-Piper, 8-3.

Record: CM 6-4 overall, 6-0 ML