For the past three seasons, Loudon Valley has gotten the best of the Albemarle girls tennis team. However, behind a strong showing from Abby Lesnoff and Elise Lord, the Patriots were able to take a big lead into doubles play where they would wrap up their Northwest Region semifinals agaist the Vikings, 5-2.
“They’ve had our number,” said Albemarle coach Rich Lindsay. “The question for this match was how tough are we really, and would we be able to dig deep and play our best tennis? I think that question was answered.”
At the top and bottom of the ladder, Megan Napolitano and Ivy Haines won comfortably to give the Patriots two quick wins, but with Loudon also taking a pair of wins, Lesnoff and Lord had to battle to give Albemarle the edge, as the two both fell in the first set of their matches, but responded to take the next two sets for victories.
“You have to tip your hat to Abbby and Elise,” Lindsay said. “Both down a set and fighting through to earn that third set, then pulling them off. That’s huge. It’s a thing you can’t coach.”
In doubles, Napolitano and Lesnoff put a cap on the night as they cruised to a 6-1, 6-2 win to clinch the match and give Albemarle a bid in the Group AAA tournament.
The Patriots will play in the Northwest Region title game today at 5 p.m.
Singles
1. Megan Napolitano(A) d. Juliana Jacangelo 6-0, 6-1
2. Abby Lesnoff(A) d. Kayla Sweet 6-7, 6-2, 6-1
3. Morgan Mullen(LV) d. Tori Kuhn(A) 4-6, 6-7
4. Elise Lord(A) d. Megan Music 5-7, 6-4, 6-4
5. Ellie Burnett(LV) d. Eva Ng(A) 6-4, 6-3
6. Ivy Haines(A) d. Lucy Dawson 6-2, 6-3
Doubles
1. Napolitano/Lesnoff(A) d. Jacangelo/Sweet 6-1, 6-2
2. Mullen/Music(LV) led Kuhn/Lord 7-6, 3-1
3. Haines/Yvonne Zhang led Burnett/Dawson 6-3, 3-4
