Chattanooga Christian Girls Claim D-I A-AA Title

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MURFREESBORO - Even though the three Chattanooga Christian seniors - Ellie Henry, Allie Sullivan and Gracie Smith - could be called the "Good Bye Girls", they will not be soon forgotten as they led the Chargers to a 4-0 win against Columbia Academy Wednesday for the D-I A-AA state tennis title at BlueCross Spring Fling XX.

 

How appropriate that the CCS trio were the last three Chargers on the court at the end as sophomore Hannah Henry (No.2) and junior Caraline Redberg (No.5) had already won their singles matches for a 2-0 lead.

 

Ellie Henry won her final high school match at No.1 for a 3-0 team lead and Smith closed it out at No. 4 as Sullivan was still playing her match.

 

"It's awesome to win the team title and glad I was able to help the team with my singles win," said Smith who will play college tennis next year at Covenant College.

 

The CCS tennis program not only says good bye to the seniors, but also to head coach Sue Webb who retires with her 10th combined (boys and girls) state title. The former UTC All-American will stay close to the overall program as the director of the CCS middle school teams.

 

"Today's win is a great way for the seniors to end their career," said Webb. "I couldn't be happier as everyone on the team contributed to this championship and they deserved to win."

 

First One Off The Court: Coach Webb acknowledged that first year player Redberg is usually the first player to win her match and get off the court.

"Caraline just goes about her business in a quite way, getting us off to a good start with a win at No.5 in match after match."

 

Good Way To Go Out: Ellie Henry won her final high school doubles match last night with sister Hannah to clinch the 4-2 win against Christian Academy of Knoxville ... today she wins her final career singles match to give the team a 3-0 advantage.

 

Nine Titles in Three Decades: CCS has now won girls state titles in three decades ... 1999-2000-01-02-05-06-07-08-13 ... Only Knox. Webb, who won its 10th championship today, has more overall girls championships ... CCS and GPS have nine each followed by Baylor who won its seventh today.

 

Cheering For District 7: Notre Dame assistant coach Gary McIntyre and Signal Mountain assistant coaches Keith Dressler and Doug Mashburn were in attendance at today's match in support of fellow District 7 foe CCS.

 

Fab Five: In the last five years, the three seniors helped CCS win a state team championship (2013) and state runner-up (2010) finish in four Final Four appearances (2009-10-11-13) ... four district, region and sectional championships (2009-10-11-13) ...a state doubles title (the Henry's) in 2012

 

D-I A-AA Girls State Finals

CCS 4, Columbia Academy 0

 

Singles

1 Ellie Henry (CCS) def. Caroline White, 7-6 (4), 6-3

2 Hannah Henry CCS) def. Abigail Wolfe, 62, 6-1

4 Gracie Smith (CCS) def.Anna Grace Wolfe, 6-4, 6-3

5 Caraline Redberg (CCS) def. Catherine Wolfe, 6-0, 6-1

Records: CCS (15-1)

 

 

contact B.B. Branton at william.branton@comcast.net

Edited May 23, 2013 by bbb