Catawba Ridge needs one more victory to clinch the Region 3-4A girls tennis title after beating rival Nation Ford 4-2 on Monday, Oct. 12.
The Copperheads swept the season series against the Falcons and improved to 11-1 overall with a 10-0 region record. Catawba Ridge has two home matches remaining: Lake Wylie on Tuesday, Oct. 13, and Clover on Thursday, Oct. 15. One win seals the region championship, Fort Mill Prep Sports reported.
Four Copperheads singles players carried the match. Elaina Beilstein won in straight sets at No. 2 singles, 6-0, 6-1. Gracyn Root fought through a three-set battle at No. 3 singles, dropping the first set 5-7 before rallying to win 6-4, 10-8. Gigi Miller won at No. 4 singles, 6-2, 6-3, and Kaitlyn Wood closed it out at No. 5 singles, 6-2, 6-4.
Nation Ford picked up two wins. Eva Mabey took No. 1 singles in three sets, 6-2, 1-6, 10-3. Alexandra Simants and Reagan Mullinix won the lone doubles match, 5-7, 6-4, 10-4.
The result echoed the first meeting between the Fort Mill School District rivals on Sept. 9, when Catawba Ridge won 5-1. Beilstein, Root and Miller all won their singles matches in that contest as well. Abby Russell won at No. 1 singles for the Copperheads in three sets over Mabey, and Wood teamed with Jane Rohrmeir for a doubles victory.
Nation Ford, 9-2 in region play, closes the regular season at Indian Land on Thursday, Oct. 15. Both the Copperheads and Falcons head into South Carolina High School League (SCHSL) playoffs the week of Oct. 19. The SCHSL has posted its girls tennis state championship brackets, though specific first-round dates for Class 4A have not been announced. Region entry forms for the singles tournament are due Oct. 20, according to the SCHSL.
Catawba Ridge's only loss this season came in the opener against Fort Mill on Aug. 18, according to MaxPreps. The Copperheads have won 10 straight since.
