Patriots win 1st OCC championship

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By Ben Stroup

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The Liberty girls tennis team was rewarded for what’s been a dominant season up to this point, winning its first OCC championship in program history with a 5-0 Central-Division win over host Davidson Tuesday in Hilliard.

The Patriots claimed the crown with individual dominance, sure … but coach Meaghan Colville said the title was a true testament to the team.

“I don’t know if I’ve been around a team that genuinely cares about each other the way this group does,” Colville said. “When I started here at Liberty last season, my goal was to build a team atmosphere. That can be difficult in an ‘individual’ sport like tennis, but this group of players and parents responded.

“Each and every player is selfless and wants each other to win as much as they want themselves to win … this is truly a team.”

The league-clinching win was headlined by Lexi Steer and Sidney Reineke, who combined to win all but one game en route to impressive victories at second and third singles.

Other winners included Alexia Meyer, who outlasted the Wildcats’ Heather Haynes 1-6, 6-1, 6-3 at first singles; Anna Delaney and Cellini Ko, who combined to win 6-4, 6-0 at first doubles; and Lizzie Radkiewicz and Avivah Wang, who won 6-3, 6-1 at second doubles.

Hayes 3, Mount Vernon 2

The Pacers capped the OCC-Capital Division portion of their schedule with a win, edging the host Yellow Jackets 3-2 Tuesday in Mount Vernon.

Hayes winners included Anna Adams (6-3, 7-5 at first singles), Mallory Hackett (7-6, 6-0 at second singles) and the duo of Kara Wegmiller and Kelsey Knodell (6-3, 6-3 at first doubles).

Buckeye Valley 5, Jonathan Alder 0

The Barons earned their first 5-0 win of the season Tuesday, blanking host Jonathan Alder in MOAC action.

Buckeye Valley standouts included Anna Phrakornkham, who won 7-6, 6-3 at first singles; Kasey Morris, who earned a 6-1, 6-3 win at second singles; Lexi Poulton, who cruised to a 6-1, 6-1 win at third singles; Jo Ann Leienberger and Brienna Garber, who won 6-2, 6-2 at first doubles; and Julie Sparks and Alex Garber, who teamed up to notch a 6-3, 6-4 win at second doubles.

Also: New Albany 5, Big Walnut 0.

Follow Ben Stroup on Twitter @delgazette_ben.

Blank Hilliard Davidson 5-0

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