The Hidden Valley girls’ tennis team continues on a roll through the regular season with it’s ultimate goal clearly in sight – a run at the Group AA state championship at both the individual and team level.
The Lady Titans improved to 11-0 on the season Tuesday afternoon with a 6-3 win over Southwest County rival Cave Spring on the Knight’s courts, and are poised to again take the River Ridge District crown.
Hidden Valley has lost only two district matches in 8 years, and is undefeated in district play for the last three years. The Titan lineup is definitely not short of talent.
Playing in the number-one position is junior co-captain Kristin Harter, the defending Group AA girls state singles champion. Harter has only three career losses, all of which came two years ago-two in the regular season to Cave Spring’s Laura Dodson and the other in the state final to Syracuse-bound Tori Ford of Lafayette.Harter is noted for having one of the most powerful serves in area tennis.
In the second spot for the Titans is freshman Ceyda Dumaz, who, according to Hidden Valley Coach Tommy George, can play on the same level as Harter and looks to have an outstanding tennis future.
Rounding out the top of the Titan lineup is senior co-captain Mary Kathryn Newton, a very talented four-year starter.
Both Harter and Dumaz were undefeated on the season, with Newton 9-1 going into the Cave Spring match. The Titans are clearly set to make some noise in the run to the state final.