Tennis Topics
Published: May 30, 2009, Richmond Tennis Association website
Mills Godwin girls and boys take a dip after winning state team titles
by John Packett, RTA Staff Writer
It was a nice day for swimming in the James River, and both the Mills Godwin girls and boys tennis teams took advantage of the nearby water on Saturday in Newport News.
They wouldn't have taken a dip, however, if they hadn't won the state Group AAA high-school team championships. But each of the Eagles' squads posted 5-2 victories at Huntington Park, allowing them to cool off in the wet stuff.
The girls beat Northern Region champion Thomas Jefferson Science and Technology of Alexandria for their third consecutive title and sixth in the past eight years. Going swimming has become a tradition for them.
The Godwin ladies, who have captured eight titles overall, completed their second straight unbeaten season at 21-0.
The boys jumped into the river, too, after defeating fellow Colonial District member Deep Run in the rubber match this season between the two rivals. It was also the guys' eighth crown since becoming a member of Group AAA but first since 2005.
"I will tell you that when I jumped in," said boys coach Tom Hoy, "that the tide rose about eight inches on the other side of the river. I think three boats were blown out of drydock over there.
"It felt great. It was a lot of fun and I was glad to be able to participate in the tradition that the girls started."
The twin triumphs marked the first time since 2003 that both Godwin teams had swept the state titles in the same year.
Godwin's guys finished with a 21-1 record, with the only loss coming to Deep Run during the regular season. The Eagles beat the Wildcats (18-2) in the Central Region final and again on Saturday.
"They've definitely been a challenge for us this year," said Kevin McMillen, one of three seniors in Godwin's top six. "They've been the team to beat the entire year for us. They've made us a better team. Usually, our year is based around beating James Robinson but this year it was beating Deep Run.
"We were all nervous going into this match and to have it over with is a big relief. It could have gone either way."
The Wildcats were playing without their usual No. 3 singles player, senior Glenn Diersen, who was sent home for disciplinary reasons, and according to Hoy, "It certainly hurt them."
Leading 3-2 in singles after wins by McMillen at No. 2, Michael Holt (No. 4) and Anthony Pelesis (No. 6), the Eagles got a big boost when Zack King pulled out a 6-1, 1-6, 6-4 victory at No. 5 to put Godwin up 4-2 heading into the doubles.
"The key match, without a doubt, in singles, was by Zack King," said Hoy. "When they split sets, and went back out, it was 3-2 for us. So it was either going to be 4-2 Godwin or 3-all. It was nip and tuck all the way and him winning at the end was huge."
The No. 3 doubles team of Arjun Karthikeyan and David Caravati, who had clinched the quarterfinal win over defending champion James Robinson on Tuesday, provided the decisive point with a 6-4, 6-0 decision over Bharani Sankar and Jayanth Shekhar.
"Our seniors had not won a state championship and it was real important for them," said Hoy.
The Eagles lose their top three players, while the lineup Deep Run put on the court is expected to return next spring.
"No doubt, with the players they have returning, they'll be the heavy favorites to be state champions next year," said Hoy.
The girls went up 4-2 in their match with TJ, thanks to three-set triumphs by Michelle Akerman at No. 4 singles and Maddie Wood (No. 5). Mary Frances Dudley (No. 3), the lone senior in the top six, and Jessica Kocen (No. 6) had provided earlier points.
The key point came when Akerman squeaked out a 1-6, 7-5, 7-6 (7-4) decision over Jennifer Fang to make it 4-2.
"That was big," said Seidenberg. "We felt pretty good going into doubles. We work hard on our doubles. I told the girls before we even started doubles that if we were down 4-2, I thought we would be fine. I always think our doubles are pretty strong."
The No. 3 duo of Dudley and Kate Larsen wrapped it up with a 6-4, 6-4 verdict over Joyce Chung and Stefanie Carp.
Godwin's girls were able to claim the title despite having the hardest road to the final.
"We knew, if we were going to win the state, we had to play the toughest competition," said Seidenberg. "We had to beat the two Northern Region teams and the Eastern champion. I thought we handled it really well. We won 15 matches and only lost four.
"I give credit to all the girls in the lineup. We talked about if we were going to do something this year, we were going to do it as a team. The girls that weren't on the court were doing a great job supporting, and everybody had each other's back."
Group AAA girls team championship
MILLS GODWIN 5, THOMAS JEFFERSON 2
Singles: Natalie Kirchner (TJ) d. Nicole Parker 6-3, 6-4; Nora Lam (TJ) d. Meg Kristofak 6-4, 6-3; Mary Frances Dudley (MG) d. Stephanie Pao 6-3, 6-1; Michelle Akerman (MG) d. Jennifer Fang 1-6, 7-5, 7-6 (7-4); Maddie Wood (MG) d. Joyce Chung 6-2, 2-6, 6-2; Jessica Kocen (MG) d. Allison Smedberg 7-5, 6-1.
Doubles: Dudley-Kate Larsen (MG) d. Chung-Stefanie Carp 6-4, 6-4.
Group AAA boys team championship
MILLS GODWIN 5, DEEP RUN 2
Singles: Hunter Koontz (DR) d. Kyle Parker 6-1, 7-6 (7-4); Kevin McMillen (MG) d. Evan Charles 6-4, 6-2; Stephon Hinds (DR) d. Michael Baxter 6-4, 7-6 (7-4); Michael Holt (MG) d. Phillip Mosberg 7-6 (7-0), 6-2; Zack King (MG) d. Jake Fratkin 6-1, 1-6, 6-4; Anthony Pelesis (MG) d. Ben Hall 6-3, 6-2.
Doubles: Arjun Karthikeyan-David Caravati (MG) d. Bharani Sankar-Jayanth Shekhar 6-4, 6-0.
(Left to Right) Nicole Parker, Meg Kristofak, Mary Frances Dudley, Jessica Kocen, Maddie Wood and Michelle Akerman were the players for Godwin High School’s Virginia State High School League Championship win over TJ/Alexandria in the finals on May 30 at Huntington Park, Newport News, VA.
Godwin’s Freshman Haley Moses provides spirited support to fellow Eagles as they try to close out TJ in the State 2009 Finals.
(Left to Right ) Godwin High School’s Peyton Manchester, Jordan Jessie, Jane Fellowes, Olivia Long, Jessie Dominick, Becky Seidel, and Ellie Weber stand by to support their teammates on the road to victory!
The moment of victory for the Mills Godwin Girls Tennis Team as they captured the Virginia HS Tennis League 2009 State Championship title in Huntington Park, Newsport News, VA, on May 30.
Mills Godwin Head Coach Mark Seidenberg and Assistant Coach Mary Bruner finally relax after their Eagles’ captured the Virginia HS Tennis League 2009 State Championship title in Huntington Park, Newport News, Va, on May 30.
The victorious Mills Godwin Girls Tennis Team poses with their trophy after winning the Virginia State HS League 2009 Tennis Championships in Huntington Park, Newport News, VA on May 20. Godwin defeated TJ/Alexandria
Godwin High School’s Boy and Girls Tennis Teams secured their respective Virginia HS League 2009 State Championship Titles on May 30. The tournament finals were held in Huntington Park, Newport News, Va, and both teams took to the location’s James River access to celebrate their victories.