Just out of reach for THS girls

By Clint Thompson

May 10, 2008 12:09 am

— JONESBORO — Thomasville’s girls felt the wrath of the defending champions Friday.
At the Class AA Final Four at the Clayton County International Park, Walker swept Thomasville 3-0.
The Bulldogs’ three losses came in singles: No. 1 Katherine Oudin beat Katie Gee 6-2, 6-2, No. 2 Sydney Grant swept Kristen Gee 6-0, 6-0 and No. 3 Casey Erestes cruised past Sarah Hardy 6-4, 6-1.
“We knew going in how good their singles were,” Thomasville coach Phil Slaughter said. “They had three really strong singles. Their No. 1 player’s sister just turned pro. These girls all play club tennis that play year-round.
“It’s always disappointing to lose, but you kind of realize once you get up in the Atlanta area everybody’s a Kristen or a Katie.”
Displaying her dominance was Grant in No. 2 singles. She opened her match with Kristen Gee with three straight aces and never was challenged.
“In seven years, ever since she was in middle school, I can’t ever remember her being aced,” Slaughter said. “That girl she played was extremely strong. It’s the best competition Kristen’s seen her high school career.”
Thomasville’s two doubles teams were pulled in the third set of their matches after it Walker clinched the match. In No. 1 doubles, Thomasville’s Sarah Rice and Rachel McElreath lost their first set 6-1, but responded with a 6-3 win and trailed 2-1 against Caroline Brashier and Courtney Warren in the third. Walker’s Kelli Esteep and Abby Casey won 6-4 in their first set before losing 6-3 in the second set to Thomasville’s Kate Jones and Laura Lilly.
“Doubles played two of the best matches they’ve played all year, especially No. 2 doubles of Kate and Laura,” Slaughter added. “They showed how good they can really be.”