The Mathews High School girls’ tennis team defeated West Point, 8-1, last Thursday to become the first Conference 42 Champions. They earned Conference 42 team champions, Elizabeth Ransone won the singles title, and she and Kate van Emmerik won the doubles championship.

This is head coach LaDonna Crain’s ninth district championship out of the 10 years she has been coaching. “I have a great group of girls this year,” Crain said. “They are a very hard-working team and eager to excel. We only have two seniors in the top eight with the others being ninth and 10th graders. We should do well for several years to come.”

Ransone played a phenomenal match and defeated opponent Jane Hagen (6-4, 6-3) to become Conference 42 singles champion. Emma Wood subbed for Kate van Emmerik at number 2 due to injury and held her own against her opponent and a very strong player, Sarah Sheffield. While the match score does not always reflect match play (0-6, 0-6), Wood bro...