By: Rodrigo Solis Ruiz
Special to Guthrie Sports Page
The Guthrie High School girls tennis team competed in the 5A regional tournament at Cascia Hall. Six Lady Jays were all searching for a spot at the state tournament.
Team members, include Tyler Riley (No. 1 singles), Bailey Beaber (No. 2 singles), Lili Goode and Carly Redus (No. 1 doubles), Bailey Cornwell and Cayden Ward (No. 2 doubles).
Senior Cornwell and junior Cayden Ward qualified for the state tournament by placing fourth in No. 2 doubles.
Cornwell and Ward won their first match then dropped their second. The third game was going to determine whether they made the state tournament or not. The duo defeated Del City and will travel to Oklahoma City next Friday.
“They will have a tough road at state. I’m proud of them for getting there,” added Hudson.
In one singles, Riley had to overcome a very challenging schedule in her search for a spot at state. The freshman played five games at the end of the day. Even though she lost her first match against the tournaments runner-up, Riley managed to come back and win her second and third match. Unfortunately, Rile lost the two following games and was unable to make the state tournament.
Guthrie head coach Mary Hudson said she was proud of her performance.
In other singles action, Beaber came one spot short from qualifying for the state tournament in No. 2 singles. She lost her first match, but won her second. McAlester’s Rebekah Briggs won the decisive third match to advance to the state tournament. However, Beaber won her final match to finish fifth and wrap up her tennis career as a Bluejay.
On the No. 1 doubles bracket, seniors Lili Goode and Carly Redus finished fifth. The duo won their first game and then lost to second ranked Holland Hall. It was also that decisive third match that kept them away from making it to state. Nonetheless, they won their fourth and final game to finish up their senior season.
Hudson spoke on three of her four seniors not qualifying for the biggest tournament of the season.
“At times we could have been more mentally tough,” Hudson explained. “Sometimes we just let the little things bother us. They are very disappointed.”
Rodrigo Solis Ruiz is a graduate of Guthrie High School is attending Oklahoma State University and majoring in sports media.
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