By Ben Stroup
Liberty standouts Anna Delaney and Alexis Steer wrapped up a memorable season in fitting fashion Saturday, making it all the way to the Division I doubles state championship match before finishing second at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason.
“Liberty tennis had a record-breaking year,” Patriot coach Meaghan Colville said. “What a great way to end it with a state runner-up doubles team.”
The duo had to battle to earn their spot in the final, outlasting Cincinnati Ursuline Academy’s Jenny Duma and Gabriella O’Connor 5-7, 6-2, 6-4 in the semifinal.
The championship featured a battle with Upper Arlington’s Olivia and Paige Kompa — a showdown the Patriot pair lost 2-6, 0-6 to settle for state runner-up honors.
The second-place finish wasn’t an accident. The duo, which didn’t start the season as a doubles team, complement each other perfectly on the court.
“I think their friendship and mutual respect for each other laid the groundwork for a great doubles pair,” Colville said. “They complement each other so well. One had high energy, the other was more mellow. One was steady on the baseline, while the other was high-flying at the net. They worked perfectly together.”
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Follow Ben Stroup on Twitter @delgazette_ben.
