Murfreesboro Post
MURFREESBORO WEATHER

Siegel’s LaLance, Central doubles team finish state runners-up




Rutherford County tennis players fell short in their quest to bring home titles at the final day of Spring Fling 30 at the Adams Tennis Complex.

The girls’ doubles team of Uma Sood and Helen Smith from Central Magnet fell in straight sets (1-6, 3-6) to a pair of experienced seniors, Josi Reid and Leah McBride, from Science Hill.

In boys’ singles, sophomore Rich LaLance made his second trip to the Fling and fell in the finals to Ranjay Arul of Collierville (3-6, 3-6), who closed his career winning the boys singles title his last three seasons.

The girls’ match was dominated in the opening set by the team from Johnson City as they only surrendered five points in the first five games in winning the opening set, 6-1.

The second set was a little better for the Tigers. After falling down 3-0 they took the next two games as both Sood and Smith played well at the net to earn the winning points.

“We weren’t nervous as we had played them before,” Smith said. “We tried to play loose, but things just didn’t go our way.”

Science Hill won the next two games for a 5-2 lead before Central Magnet cut it to 5-3, but got no closer as both Sood and Smith closed out their season.
“I’m proud of them; we had a good season,” Central Magnet coach Joanna Angel said of her doubles team. “I expect both of them to make it back here next year.”

The boys match was a little tighter as LaLance dropped a tough match to Arul, but if a few points had gone another way it could have made a difference.

In the opening set, with the score 2-2 and Arul serving, LaLance was up Love-40 but Arul fought all the way back to win four straight points to take the game and go up 3-2. From there, he took the opening set 6-3.

In the second set, LaLance used good ground strokes and passing shots to build a 3-1 lead, but Arul won the next five games to take the match and close his high school career with another individual championship.

“I know I could have played better, but I just have to practice a lot before next season and be focused in all of my matches,” LaLance said.

“I am excited on the way he has jumped up this season and will be looking forward to see how he does next year,” Siegel coach Jeff Martin said. “The sky has no limit for him as he can go as far and as high as he wants. It is all up to him.”