Girls’ Tennis

Susquehanna Valley 4, Norwich 3

NORWICH – Norwich dropped an excruciatingly close final to Susquehanna Valley as the Sabers clinched the STAC Central Division crown Wednesday with their second win over Norwich (7-3) this season.

“It was as close as it gets,” said Norwich coach John Stewart. “Everyone played well and they all competed the best that they could.”

Three of the four singles matches went to three sets. Allison Stark edged Norwich’s Bryn Loomis, 7-6, 3-6, 6-4 taking the final three games. Jessica Lerner, a senior for Norwich, pulled off perhaps the best comeback win in Stewart’s long tenure coaching the program.

Lerner was down four match points in the last-set tiebreaker, 6-2, but strung together six straight points to win in three sets, 6-4, 5-7, 7-6 to complete an unbeaten 10-0 season at third singles. “Jessica displayed a classic example of playing one point at a time, and she really gutted it out,” Stewart said.

Reva Seager also won in singles defeating Brianna Callahan in three sets, 6-3, 6-7, 6-2. Emily Stewart and Alyssa Stagliano rolled to a straight sets win at second doubles, 6-2, 6-3.

Results

Singles: Allison Stark (S) d. Bryn Loomis, 7-6 (3), 3-6, 6-4; Alexa Cohen (S) d. Sophie Stewart, 6-2, 6-4; Jessica Lerner (N) d. Marissa Whitney, 6-4, 5-7, 7-6 (8-6). Reva Seager (N) d. Brianna Callahan, 6-3, 6-7 (10-12), 6-2.