Kaitlynn Gordon was the difference maker for the Winder-Barrow High School girls tennis team during last week’s Region 8-AAAA tournament.
The No. 3 singles player helped clinch both both of her team’s wins which allowed WBHS to secure a spot in this week’s Class AAAA state tennis tournament. Gordon’s win against Rockdale County in the opening round gave the Lady Doggs a 3-2 victory and her long three-set win against Loganville was the difference in her team capturing the No. 3 seed for state.
“Her match Friday didn’t finish until near midnight,” WBHS coach Heather Lundy said. “Both of her matches were nailbiters. She was a rock. She just kept fighting.”
The Lady Doggs entered region as the No. 2 seed from 8-AAAA North and faced Rockdale County in the opener. WBHS took a 3-2 win as the team also earned wins from No. 1 doubles (Jessie Speight and Quinn Edgar) and No. 2 doubles (Miranda Yancey and Lauren Spiler). Gordon’s match at No. 3 singles lasted more than 90 minutes with the Lady Bulldogg player taking the 3-2 win.
The team then advanced to Friday before falling to Heritage, the eventual region champ.
“With Heritage winning it, I don’t feel too bad about falling there,” Lundy said.
Now playing in the match for third place, WBHS took another 3-2 win on the strength of the two doubles wins and Gordon’s victory in singles competition. In her match against Loganville, Gordon once again was involved in a classic encouter battling for almost two hours before winning 7-5, 2-6, 7-5.
Lundy has guided the WBHS girls to state in each of her three seasons as coach. The team’s opening round opponent, McIntosh, of Region 5-AAAA, is located in Peachtree City.
“They are good,” Lundy said. “They will be very tough. This is going to be a challenge for our players.”
WBHS is led by seniors Quinn Edgar, Lauren Spiller and Miranda Yancey.
The Lady Bulldoggs will open play in the state tournament Thursday against McIntosh High School at 4 p.m. Lundy had hoped to play the match earlier this week but details between the two schools could not be ironed out on a day and time.
WBHS is on spring break this week.
