It was a difficult day for the Warren G. Harding and Howland girls tennis teams, as no players from either of those squads made it past the third round in the Division I sectional, which was held Monday at the Harvard and Stadium Park courts in Canton.
The Tigers had one singles player and one doubles team advance as far as the third round before being eliminated.
After going to three sets in her first two matches, Howland's Kate Mazzi lost her third-round match to Adrienne Devore of North Canton Hoover 6-0, 6-0. The doubles team of Michelle Lussier and Marissa Jocola fell to Massillon Jackson's Cameryn Hartong and Maria Thomas 6-2, 3-6, 6-4.
The other Howland players were Deena Awadalla, who lost 6-1, 6-1 in the second round to Gretchen Groves of Louisville; Lauren Williams, who lost in the second round to Sydney Mayle of Perry, 6-0, 6-0; and the doubles duo of Harvest Radich and Nicole Lussier, who were defeated 6-7 (1), 7-6 (3), 6-1 in the first round to Austintown Fitch's Sarah Kupas and Emily Wirtz.
"I think everybody played up to their ability," Howland coach Paul Newlove said. "They played some really, really good players. The girl that beat Deena Awadalla I picked to make districts. I think everybody did really well. Four of the five made it past the first round and two made it to the third round. I can't complain. It was a very skilled sectional with some excellent teams."
For Harding, Olivia Woods beat Katy Leise of Barberton 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (7) in the first round before falling to Mazzi in the second in three sets. Brenna Hernon and Anna Lacy lost to Lamonda Carter and Devin Lanier of Massillon in the second round 6-2, 6-4 after earning a bye in the first round.
Also getting a first-round bye before losing in the second round were Allie Charnas and Michelle Kuzenko, who lost to Barberton's Jelena Bundalo and Emily Burns 6-3, 6-3. Losing in the first round was Cara Hernon, who was defeated by Hoover's Monica Albertson 6-0, 6-0.
"I thought they did great," Harding coach Craig Charnas said of his team's performance. "They were pretty much in the matches. The girls improved over the course of the season. I was real proud of them. I'm looking forward to next year. They can see what they have to do to reach that next level."
