The celebratory Gatorade Shower celebration dates back to 1984 when the New York Giants doused head coach Bill Parcells after following a victory over Washington.
That means the celebration is so dated, it’s doubtful that Orange women’s tennis coach Justin Webb was born the first time Harry Carson doused his boss 39 years ago. And it’s a certainty none of Webb’s players were around to see it, especially his top singles player, sophomore Jera Hargrove
On September 23, when Orange defeated Cedar Ridge 5-4 at Red Wolves Tennis Courts, it led to the first Gatorade Shower celebration in Orange women’s tennis history.
And a Ice Dump to that for Coach pic.twitter.com/l0z8Lig95c— OHSPantherTennis (@OrangeHSTennis) September 23, 2019
It was Orange’s first win over Cedar Ridge in women’s tennis since the Red Wolves joined the Big 8 Conference in 2013.
The match also continue a series of great matches between Hargraves and Cedar Ridge’s top singles player, senior Olivia Ward. It would carry over to the Mideast Regionals in October, but on this day Hargrove defeated Ward 6-2, 6-7 (5-7) and 10-4 in the #1 single match.
“It makes me feel really good. Olivia beat me both times my freshman year,” Hargrove said. “She beat me the previous time we played this season.”
In a summer where Coco Gauff became the sport’s newest sensation after making a run to the fourth round of Wimbledon, Hargrove watched from afar with admiration. Hargrove is exactly two days older than Gauff.
“Hopefully one day that can be me,” Hargrove said. “She’s a prodigy and she’s the same age as me. I was born March 11 and she was born March 13.”
Orange won four of the six singles matches. In addition to Hargrove, junior Emma Williamson, Lindsey Jouannet and Halle Boroski all claimed wins. In fact, Boroski had her own three set match against Cedar Ridge senior Karen Alvarez, which ended 6-2, 5-7 and 14-12 (10-point tiebreaker).
With Orange leading 4-2, the dual match came down to three doubles matches. Ward and Nora Sauers reduce Orange’s lead to 4-3 with a tight 8-6 win at #3 doubles. Cedar Ridge’s Brianna Cellini and Mary-Hunter Millet won 8-4 to even the match.
Jouannet and Sydney Allison clinched the match for Orange with an 8-2 victory at #3 doubles, leading to a joyous ride back to the other end of Hillsborough.
But first, Webb got doused.
Jouannet won two matches on the day.
“I think we were just ready to finally beat our rival,” Jouannet said. “It’s been a long time. A lot of the seniors helped pump us up, too, to get us ready and get the win.”
It would turn out to be a strong season for the Orange women’s tennis team overall. The Panthers finished with its first winning record since 2013, at least. After the Cedar Ridge win, the Lady Panthers edged Person 5-4. They ended the year 11-8 after beating J.F. Webb, Northern Durham and Roxboro Community School to end the dual team match season.
Hargrove would go on to qualify for the 3A Mideast Regionals, where she reached the second round. Once again, she would face Ward, a story you’ll read more about in the coming days.