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Waynesville tennis player wins state title

By Steven Matthews, Staff Writer Updated 6:16 PM Saturday, October 24, 2009

PLAIN CITY— Alyssa Ritchie is perfect.

The Waynesville High junior tennis sensation put the finishing touches on an undefeated season by capturing the Division II state championship on Saturday afternoon, Oct. 24.

Ritchie defeated Lexington sophomore Courtney Earnest 6-4, 5-7, 6-1 in the finals at the Elysium Tennis Center in Plain City.

“This was the whole goal all year, and reaching it is great,” Ritchie said. “It feels awesome.”

After dropping the second set, in which she had a match point, Ritchie responded in a big way by grabbing the first three games of the decisive third.

“It was tough because I had a match point in the second set,” Ritchie said. “Physically, I could do it. I’m really in shape. I kept my head in it so I could pull it out.”

Ritchie, who finished the season a spotless 33-0, is the first state tennis champion in school history.

She was a state-qualifier as a freshman, but lost in the state-qualifying match at districts a year ago.

“It just seemed like everything was rolling in her favor,” Waynesville coach Dale Bowman said. “From the sectional to the district to the state. You have to be good, but you also have to get some breaks along the way and she’s such a fighter.”

Ritchie knocked off Cincinnati Indian Hill’s Kelsey Matthews 6-2, 6-3 earlier in the day to reach the finals.

On Friday, Oct. 23, Ritchie defeated Canton South’s Morgan Murray 6-0, 6-0, and then beat Hilliard Bradley’s Lauren Thai 7-6 (5), 6-1 in the quarterfinals.

“Starting at the beginning of the season, I didn’t want to lose any matches,” Ritchie said. “Being able to accomplishment it is awesome.”

So, is a second consecutive state title in the cards for next year?

“Hopefully,” Ritchie said. “I’m going to work hard all winter and travel this summer for tournaments. Hopefully it will happen again.”

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