The brightest days for Ivy Garner are still ahead in women’s tennis, to say nothing of the sport she truly excels in.
On Friday at the Burlington Tennis Center, Garner became the first Cedar Ridge women’s tennis player ever to compete in an individual state championship tournament. And she did it as a freshman.
Garner lost to Madison Cullipher of D.H. Conley 6-3, 6-1 in the opening round. Rose Kenny of Charlotte Catholic captured the 3A state championship on Saturday with a victory over Weddington’s Sarah Merrill 7-6 (4), 6-1.
Garner, who was one of only two freshmen to play in the 3A state tournament (Hannah Jiang of Cox Mill was the other), earned her way to the 32-player state tournament by finishing runner-up in the 3A Mideast Regionals last weekend, also at the Burlington Tennis Center.
In the opening round of the regionals, Garner defeated April Harrington of Gray’s Creek 6-1, 6-0. In the 2nd round, she defeated Emma Hilburn of Northern Guilford 6-1, 6-0. In the semifinals, Garner ensured a birth to the state tournament with a 7-5, 2-6, 6-4 victory over Northern Guilford’s Emily Callahan.
Garner is also a star soccer player who will suit up for the Red Wolves in the spring.
It was another successful day for East Chapel Hill at the state championships. The Wildcats’ double team of Savannah Bright and Stela Jokimovic captured the 3A state championship, defeating Natalie Lutz and Madelynn Frye 6-3, 6-3.