Linsly Surges At OVAC Tennis
Kim North Trending
GLEN DALE - The No. 13 is unlucky for some people. It wasn't for the Linsly girls' tennis team .
After posting just four points during the doubles competition on Monday, the Cadets added eight more on Tuesday in singles play to capture their 13th consecutive OVAC Class 1A-4A championship at the wind-swept courts at John Marshall High School.
Leading Tuesday's surge was junior Ava Bartlett who defended her title at No. 3 singles with an 8-5 win over University's Brooklyn Rutledge.
"We were able to squeeze this one out," said long-time head coach Dave Riethmiller, who announced recently that he is stepping down as head coach after 36 years. "We received points from all seven positions. It was truly a team effort.
"I've been blessed with a lot of very good tennis players," he added when asked about the streak and 300-plus wins. "It's such a joy to work with these girls."
Reithemiller began coaching girls tennis at Linsly when the private school went co-ed in the 1988-89 school year. He's been the only coach the program has ever had.
"It's time," he said of retiring. "It's been a long, but enjoyable time," he added.
Bartlett trailed Rutledge 4-1 before storming back with six straight points for a 7-4 lead. They traded points to end the match.
Oak Glen finished second to Linsly in the 8-team field with eight points, one ahead of Hancock County rival Weir. Indian Creek, St. Clairsville, Steubenville Catholic and Wheeling Central all had one point.
In Class 5A, University edged past Morgantown 23-20 for the title as No. 1 singles player, Lyla Byers was the lone winner after the Hawks swept all three doubles crowns on Monday.
Byers, the W.Va. reigning state titlist, is ranked No. 1 in the Mountain State. The senior rallied past Wheeling Park sophomore, Madeline Bradshaw, by an 8-5 count. Bradshaw held a 3-2 lead before Byers rallied with five straight points to defend her title.
Wheeling Park's Reese Moores, a junior, finished second at No. 3 singles to Morgantown's Grace Forman, 8-4.
The Patriots finished third in the 8-team field with 17 points. Parkersburg South was fourth with six, followed by John Marshall (4), Brooke (3) and Steubenville (1).
The boys take over the courts on Wednesday and Thursday, with doubles action beginning Wednesday.