Lancers Sweep Singles to Avenge Earlier Loss to Hathaway Brown

SHAKER HEIGHTS, Ohio - Varsity A Tennis swept the three singles matches Monday to defeat Hathaway Brown 3-2 in the Ohio Tennis Coaches Association (OTCA) regional semifinal. The Lancers avenged a 3-2 loss from earlier in the season and advanced to face defending state champion Orange High School in the OTCA regional final on Monday, Oct. 5.

Abigail Lynch set the tone for Gilmour at No. 1 singles, earning a 6-2, 6-2 victory. Lynch took control early and maintained that advantage throughout both sets, giving the Lancers one of the three points they needed to reverse the result of the teams’ first meeting.

Grier Peckham delivered the most decisive singles performance of the match at the No. 2 position. Peckham won the opening set 6-2 before completing the victory with a 6-0 second set. The straight-set wins by Lynch and Peckham put Gilmour in position to claim the semifinal through another singles sweep.

The clinching point required a full three sets. Maeryn Ryznar won the first set at No. 3 singles 6-3, but Hathaway Brown responded by taking the second 6-4. Ryznar recovered in the deciding set and secured a 6-3 victory, completing the sweep of the singles lineup and lifting the Lancers to the team win.

Hathaway Brown collected both doubles points. Sara Thompson and Savannah Drew fell 6-1, 6-2 at No. 1 doubles, while Scarlett Greer and Naya Hilal dropped a 6-0, 6-4 decision at No. 2. The Lancers’ singles depth proved decisive in the 3-2 final under partly cloudy skies and a temperature of 66 degrees.

Before the OTCA regional final, Gilmour turns its attention to the OHSAA postseason. The Lancers begin Division II sectional tournament play Tuesday at 8:30 a.m. at Hawken Upper School, then will prepare for their Oct. 5 matchup against Orange with a regional championship at stake.