Andalusia finishes runner up at sectional

Andalusia’s boys and girls tennis teams earned berths to play in the Class 4A state tournament as they finished runner up at sectionals on Wednesday in Mobile.

The boys defeated Charles Henderson 9-0, while the girls came out on top 8-1 in the semifinals.

During the finals, AHS had to face the ever-dominant UMS-Wright. The local teams fell 0-9, 0-9 in boys and girls, respectively.

AHS boys tennis coach Perry Dillard said everybody’s excited about going back to the state tournament.

“Everybody played well,” Dillard said. “Playing against UMS-Wright is tough competition. We get to see those guys at the state tournament again, and that’s always a good thing.”

Luckily, AHS has time to iron out the kinks, Dillard added.

Andalusia’s Brandon Scruggs won 10-2 in No. 1 singles against CHHS, lost 0-6, 3-6 to UMS-Wright; Ian Peek won 10-0 in No. 2 singles against CHHS, lost 1-6, 0-6 to UMS-Wright; Jackson Moore won 10-0 in No. 3 singles against CHHS, lost 1-6, 1-6 to UMS-Wright; David May won 10-0 in No. 4 singles against CHHS, lost 1-6, 2-6 to UMS-Wright; Ari Carter won 10-1 in No. 5 singles against CHHS, lost 2-6, 0-6 to UMS-Wright; and Cody Stewart won 10-0 in No. 6 singles against CHHS, and lost 0-6, 1-6 to UMS-Wright.

In boys doubles, Peek and Moore won 10-0 over CHHS, and lost 1-6, 3-6 to UMS; May and Scruggs won 10-0 over CHHS, and lost 0-6, 4-6 to UMS; and Carter and Stewart won 10-1 over CHHS, and lost 1-6, 1-6 to UMS.

Because it was a three-team section, Andalusia gained a berth to the state tournament because of its win over the Trojans.

“We’re getting excited about the state tournament,” Dillard said.

In girls action, Elisabeth Christensen won 10-1 in No. 1 singles against CHHS, and Brianna Joiner lost 0-6, 0-6 to UMS; Sarah Atkinson won 10-0 in No. 2 singles against CHHS; lost 0-6, 0-6 to UMS; Rachel Dayton lost 8-10 in No. 3 singles against CHHS; Karlee Shirey won 10-1 in No. 4 singles against CHHS; Jodie Watson won 10-1 in No. 5 singles against CHHS, lost 0-6, 0-6 to UMS; and CJ Caps won 10-3 in No. 6 singles against CHHS, and lost 0-6, 0-6 to UMS.

In doubles, Christensen and Joiner won 10-2 over the Trojans, lost 0-6, 0-6 to UMS; Dayton and Atkinson won 10-1 over the Trojans, lost 2-6, 2-6 to UMS; and Capps and Watson won 10-3 over CHHS, and lost 1-6, 2-6 to UMS.

AHS girls coach Daniel Bulger said the girls were a little tight from the start, but warmed up as the tournament went along against CHHS.

“We were behind in a couple matches and came back and won,” Bulger said. “We get to play in the next round and that’s what matters.”

The state tournament is slated for April 21-22 at Almon Tennis Center at Point Mallard State Park in Decatur.