Myrtle Beach takes out A.C. Flora for Class 3A state girls tennis title
A.C. Flora looked to give defending Class 3A girls tennis state champion Myrtle Beach a strong challenge Saturday, with the hope of winning its first state title.
The Seahawks proved too strong for the Falcons at the Cayce Tennis Center, rolling to a 5-1 win to claim their third straight state crown and 16th in team history.
“It was a good match with great sportsmanship,” Myrtle Beach coach Jeri Himmelsbach said. “A.C. Flora is a really good team. The points were great. There were two winning teams out there.”
The Falcons were making their third appearance in the title match, and first since 2012.
“We wanted to give them a better match, but Myrtle Beach is a strong, rock-solid team, and they’re deep as well,” A.C. Flora coach Amy Martin said. “But a lot of teams want to be here, so it’s an honor to be among the top two in the state.”
Myrtle Beach jumped to a 3-0 advantage when No. 1 Elizabeth Truluck, No. 2 Emma Springs and No. 3 Bailey Deskins won their singles matches over A.C. Flora’s Raquel Acco, Megan Pleasant and Marlene Robinson, respectively.
Those victories set the table for the No. 2 doubles teams result, which ended minutes after Deskins’ 6-0, 6-1 victory over Pleasant. In that match, senior Catherine Truluck combined with freshman Cayce Roberts to get past Breland Gann and Bess Watson 6-3, 6-2.
The fourth straight win on the afternoon for the Seahawks clinched the title.
“Because of our win here last year, we were a lot more confident coming in this time,” Catherine Truluck said. “That was the hurdle we had to get over. We didn’t want to succumb to overconfidence, but we knew we were the people to beat. I came out here and I wasn’t nervous. We just pulled through.”
The Falcons’ only victory came at No.4 singles, after Myrtle Beach had moved up 5-0. In that match, Katherine Cromer outlasted Paxton Gentry 1-6, 6-2, 10-8.
“That’s been her thing throughout the season, she holds on,” Martin said. “Sometimes it takes her about three hours, but she’s held on to pull out the win. She’s only had one loss this year.”
Cromer knew that Flora’s chances for a state title were stricken, but also knew that the Falcons needed a victory.
“When your coach tells you never to give up, she really means it,” Cromer said. “It really is a battle. Each point you’ve got to battle it down, and that’s kind of how it goes.”
Singles 1. Elizabeth Truluck (MB) def. Raquel Acco 6-1, 6-1. 2. Emma Springs (MB) def. Megan Pleasant 6-3, 6-1. 3. Bailey Deskins (MB) def. Marlene Robinson 6-0, 6-1. 4. Katherine Cromer (ACF) def. Paxton Gentry 1-6, 6-2, 10-8. 5. Sarah Woodard (MB) def. Elise Sandlin 6-2, 6-3. Doubles: Catherine Trucluck and Cayce Roberts (MB) def. Breland Gann and Bess Watson 6-3,6-2.