Girls Varsity. Courtesy/Kiesha Ratliff

The state tournament weekend finale for the 2018-19 season started off strong for the three Vikings who competed. The doubles team of Carmen Merkel’22 and Lauren Motta’21 captured one victory in the state tournament before falling in the quarterfinals and ending their tremendous run on Friday, October 20.

Sydni Ratliff’21 had another incredible individual season. For the second straight season, she reached the finals of the division II state tournament. Ratliff is the first Academy girls tennis player to qualify for the state tournament, and she has done so twice in two years. Unfortunately, Sydni fell in the finals in a three-set thriller to a top player in the midwest from Hathaway Brown.

On Sunday, October 21, the Vikings were outlasted by Hathaway Brown in the state semifinals by a score of 3-0. Hathaway Brown captured the team state title in the next match. CA responded immediately, defeating Oakwood in the third place match to end their remarkable season.

The CA Vikes tennis team has a very bright future with 5 of the seven varsity players returning. Even though they came up just short in the end, this team has a lot to be proud of including an undefeated regular season.