Lady Tigers win MOAC tennis championship

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MARION — On Saturday, Galion won the 2017 MOAC team championship, bringing home two individual titles, too.

The Tiger ladies scored 26 team points to edge Marion Harding’s Prexies, who scored 23. They were followed by Ontario, Pleasant, Clear Fork, Buckeye Valley and River Valley at the Harding tennis facilities..

Katherine Talbott, Galion’s second singles representative took home the title after breezing through two matches. Talbott was the top seed in the group and earned a first-round bye. In the semifinals, Talbott took down her Harding opponent easily; 6-0, 6-1 to advance to the finals. Once there, Talbott beat an Ontario foe 6-0, 6-1 to secure the championship and seven points. Talbott is still undefeated on the 2017 season, holding a record of 16-0.

At third singles, Jalyn Oswald entered the day as the returning MOAC championship in the division. Oswald was also rewarded with a first-round bye for being the top seed. Oswald met with her opponent from Buckeye Valley in the semi-finals and quickly advanced to the finals with a 6-2, 6-1 win. Like Talbott, Oswald was fitted against an Ontario opponent in the finals and would win her second consecutive title, defeating the Lady Warriors’ representative; 6-2, 6-1. Oswald also remains undefeated on the season at 16-0.

The Galion squad also had two runner-up finishes at the tourney on Saturday.

Kayley Gimbel finished in second place in the tourney for the Tigers. She plays No. 1 singles. Gimbel’s first match of the day was against a River Valley oppenent. Gimbel advanced to the semis with a 6-3, 6-3 victory. Going against her Ontario opponent, Gimbel advanced to the finals, winning 6-1, 6-4. A familiar opponent met Kayley in the finals. Maggie Pitts from Harding, last year’s champion and the only opposition to defeat Gimbel this year, was waiting in the championship round. Gimbel fought out a three set match but would be defeated; 6-0, 4-6, 2-6 en route to the runner-up finish and five points for Galion.

The other second place finishers on the day came from the second doubles duo of Elli Chandler and Katie Baughn. In their first round contest, Chandler and Baughn defeated the tandem from River Valley; 7-5, 6-1. Another win in the semis against the duo from Pleasant; 7-5, 6-3 passed them along to the championship match. In the title match, Chandler and Baughn fell to the girls from Harding in three sets; 4-6, 6-4, 2-6.

Kiersten Gifford and Danielle Schneider lost their opening round match-up against the squad from Pleasant; 4-6, 7-5, 4-6 before winning their fifth place match against Ontario; 8-2.

By winning the MOAC tourney this season, Galion put an end to a three-year championship run held by the Harding Prexies.

Galion’s season continues Monday at Bucyrusy. MOAC action will pick back up on Tuesday  when the Lady Tigers play host to Clear Fork at Heise Park.

Submitted photo 2017 MOAC girls tennis champions: The Galion Lady Tigers Pictured from Left to Right are: Elli Chandler, Katie Baughn, Kayley Gimbel, Katherine Talbott, Jalyn Oswald, Kiersten Gifford and Danielle Schneider
http://www.galioninquirer.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/38/2017/09/web1_MOAC-Champs.jpgSubmitted photo 2017 MOAC girls tennis champions: The Galion Lady Tigers Pictured from Left to Right are: Elli Chandler, Katie Baughn, Kayley Gimbel, Katherine Talbott, Jalyn Oswald, Kiersten Gifford and Danielle Schneider

 

By Chad Clinger

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Follow Chad on Twitter @GalionSportsGuy

Reach Chad at 419-468-1117 x2048

 

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