The Mathews High School girls’ tennis team made it all the way to the quarterfinals of the VHSL Class 1 state tournament, falling on Friday in a close contest to Region B champion Buffalo Gap, 5-4.

The contest saw four of the six singles matches go to third set super tiebreakers. Top-seeded Faith Lewis won, 5-7, 6-3, 10-2 while second seed Chelsea Lowe and third seed Taylor Wood dropped hard fought matches. At fifth seed singles, Lyla Duff won a dramatic 6-3, 4-6, 12-10 match followed by an outstanding match from Liberti Carter, 6-2, 7-6.

Buffalo Gap took the #1 doubles while the Mathews third seed doubles combination of Lily Jarosz and Carter took the first set of their match as Buffalo Gap was ending the match with a win at number 2 doubles.

“I’ve never coached a mentally tougher group of athletes,” coach Jon Hatch said. “All year long they competed and each match someone different would make a major contribution. It’s been a memorable season with a special group.” Hatch th...