Varsity Girls Tennis Team Wins First Round Of State
The girls tennis team won their first round match on Monday against Hebron Christian to advance to the next round of the state tournament. First to complete her singles match was senior Kerry Anna Lemasters who won 6-2, 6-0. Following closely behind was the doubles team of senior Caroline Holliday and junior Megan Schwarzkopf who toppled their opponent 6-1, 6-1. The second doubles team of junior Amanda Braselerio and sophomore Megan Smith clinched the team match with their victory of 7-5, 6-2. Junior Rachel Hicks won her singles match shortly thereafter by a score of 6-3, 6-4. Senior Annie Sickling was ahead in her first set when the match was called. In the next round, the girls play their long-time rival, Pace Academy.
Whitefield Lacrosse Wins First Round of Single A Tournament
In the longest game of the lacrosse season, Whitefield beat Pace Academy 7 – 6 to advance in the Georgia Single A Lacrosse Tournament. After a slow start by the offense, the WolfPack was down 1-0 after the first quarter when lightning caused a 40-minute delay. Whitefield came back after the storm cleared and brought some lightning of their own with David Ballew (11th) and Justin Brendel (12th) each scoring a goal, tying the game at two going into halftime.
Pace came back in the second half with two quick goals. Down by two, Justin sparked the offense with another power shot goal. After a goal by Pace, Marcus Jones (11th) regained the momentum for the WolfPack by scoring off of a face-off. The WolfPack went into the fourth quarter down by one. Alex Manning (12th) tied the game with a rocket shot from outside followed by Justin scoring his third goal of the night and giving Whitefield the first lead of the game. Quick thinking by David, gave Whitefield a two-goal lead when he scored off a Justin shot that went off the goal post.
Whitefield was called for a penalty just as all the stadium lights went out. Whitefield was up 7 -5 with just 24 seconds left. After 20 minutes the lights had just started to come back on when the referees decided to begin play. With the WolfPack a man down, Pace snuck a goal in from the shadows of the field. There were 12 seconds left and Pace was one goal down. After winning the face-off, Pace was setting up for a final shot when Sky Dupree (11th) intercepted a pass and was able to run out the clock. When the game ended at 10:30 Whitefield was on top 7-6.
The Whitefield defensemen were the stars in this game, never letting up their aggressive play all night. As in many games, the defensive players kept the game close as the offense found its rhythm. Amazing plays by Sky, Noah DiGiorgio (12th), and freshmen Brenner McCutcheon, Carson Brown and Connor Callan kept the Knights on their heels all game. Goalie Ty McLemore (10th) played a great game with 11 saves, and having no fear in coming out of the crease to mix it up with the Pace offense.
Whitefield will play again at home on Friday, May 2, against the winner of the Holy Innocents and Fellowship game. Go WolfPack!