Lady Indians tennis team excels

    The Stephens County Lady Indian tennis team coasted into the state’s Sweet 16 after defeating Sandy Creek 5-0 in the first round of the Class AAA playoffs here Monday.
    The Lady Indians are Sweet 16 bound for the first time since at least 2006, according to SCHS head coach Debby Williams.
    The shutout victory gives the Lady Indians a second round state playoff match with Murray County scheduled for today, (Thursday) or tomorrow on the road in Chatsworth.
    The historic feat is something Williams said she’s thrilled to be a part of.
    “First time ever for us,” Williams said. “I have never coached a team that has made it out of the first round, so we are really excited.”
    Notching victories for the Lady Indians were Madison Rogers in straight sets 6-0, 6-0 at No. 1 singles and  Ali Wilson, 6-0, 6-0, at No. 2 singles.
     Gabbi Boyd also claimed a straight sets triumph 6-0, 6-0 at No. 3 singles.
    The No. 1 doubles tandem of  Kaylin Snyder and Tenley Boyd won 6-0, 6-0 and the No. 2 doubles team of Erin Terrell and Abby Whitfield triumphed 6-0, 6-0.
    Sandy Creek  did not win a single game in the match.
    Williams said that her team is a “special bunch” including the three seniors.
    All three upper classmen are singles players and Williams has coached those seniors in middle school and high school for a total of seven years.
    “I have been coaching the seniors for seven years,” Williams said. “I started with them in sixth grade and I moved up to the high school when they moved up to the high school.”
    That senior leadership has led the Lady Indians through a record-setting historic season.
    The current Lady Indian squad has already set the record for most shutouts in a season in program history.
    Monday’s match win over Sandy Creek stretched that mark to 12 for the 2021 campaign.
     The 2021 Lady Indians have also established a new mark for most wins in a season in program history. The victory over Sandy Creek gave the Lady Indians 15 match victories this year.
    “We have broken one record after another. It has been so special and especially with this group of girls,” Williams said. “They mean so much to me.”