Girls’ Tennis

BINGHAMTON – Norwich juniors Bryn Loomis and Sophie Stewart took one step farther than last season, and were crowned Section IV doubles champions Saturday at Binghamton Tennis Center in the state qualifier.

Runners-up last year losing in three sets in the finals, Loomis and Stewart did not lose a set in three matches over the two-day tournament beating Union-Endicott’s Danielle Babcock and Kassandra Hizny, 6-3, 6-2 for the title.

“We were the only intact doubles team coming back this year, and we felt we were the favorites going in,” said Norwich coach John Stewart. “We proved to be the team to beat.”

Norwich beat five of the six teams in the doubles tournament over the course of the season, and dropped just one set in the postseason. To reach the finals, the NHS duo defeated Horseheads’ Julia Weaver and Elena DeLuccia, 6-2, 6-1, then faced a stern test from Vestal’s combo winning 7-5, 6-4.

“I think we elevated the game of everybody we played – everyone played their best against us,” Stewart said. “Horseheads and Vestal were tough matches. Our girls just played some incredible tennis. Our baseline game was absolutely on, and we hit crisp, clean shots to set the net play up.”

Norwich’s team has just one loss to Section IV competition over the past two years, and hopes to win at least one match in the New York State tournament this Saturday at the East Side Racket Club in Syracuse.