R-H falls in state quarters
Published 12:44 pm Wednesday, June 5, 2019
Randolph-Henry High School’s varsity girls tennis team lost 5-0 Friday to Central High School, of Woodstock, in the Virginia High School League (VHSL) Class 2 state tournament quarterfinals, but this could not overshadow the magnitude of the Lady Statesmen’s achievement in reaching the state level of play.
By defeating visiting Poquoson High School 5-3 in the Region 2A tournament semifinals May 22, the Lady Statesmen clinched a state tournament berth for the first time in the history of Randolph-Henry’s varsity girls tennis program.
“It has been a great season,” Team Communications Chief Rhonda Algeier said. “Last year, the team set their goal on advancing to the state tournament. We are so proud of them.”
In the state quarterfinal game, the Lady Statesmen were taking on a sizable school in the form Central, which Algeier said will be moving up from VHSL Class 2 to Class 3 next school year along with Goochland High School and Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School.
During the regular season, Randolph-Henry went 14-0, winning all but three matches 9-0.
The team had four players and one doubles team go undefeated in the regular season.
No. 1 Lady Statesmen singles player Grace Algeier, who is a sophomore, reached the Region 2A singles tournament championship match, finishing as regional singles runner-up.
End-of-the-year team awards were recently handed out, which are internal to Randolph-Henry.
Grace Algeier was awarded Best All Around with her 14-0 record in regular season singles play, 13-1 record in regular season doubles play and her Region 2A singles runner-up status.
Kiersten Dotten received the Most Improved award. This was Dotten’s first year as a seeded player, and she finished the regular season 13-1 in singles and 13-1 in doubles.
Eliza Walker and McKenzie Sharpe received the Most Wins in Doubles honor, going 14-0 for the regular season. Sharpe also received the Coach’s Award.
Kaylee Moon, Sharpe and Pearl Sandridge also completed the regular season undefeated in singles — 14-0.