State girls tennis: Mills Godwin ends Cox title bid in semifinals

NEWPORT NEWS

Junior Stelie Reid said she doesn’t feel like the season begins for the Cox tennis team until the Falcons play Mills Godwin.

Friday that’s how the season ended for the Eastern Region champions, who fell 5-1 to the Eagles in the Group AAA state semifinals at Huntington Park. Mills Godwin (21-0) will vie for its fifth state championship in seven years at noon Saturday in Huntington Park. The Falcons (13-2) have been the only team to interrupt that run with back-to-back state titles in 2005 and 2006.

But the magic that produced those titles wasn’t on tap on a steamy afternoon where the Eagles showed why they continue to be the benchmark in this sport.

“We were good last year,” said coach Mark Seidenberg. “We have the exact same team and we’re better this year.”

Senior Katie Blow, favored to win her first individual state title next week and headed to Virginia Tech in the fall, schooled freshman Faith Atiso 6-0, 6-0 at No. 1. Falcons sophomore Jenny Lee led 2-0 in the second set but couldn’t overcome Central District runner-up Nicole Parker in a 6-2, 6-3 outing at No. 2.

Senior Madeline Hajek was Cox’s lone winner, beating Cathleen Crouch 6-4, 6-2 at No. 6.

“I lost to her the first time when I was 10 years old; today I redeemed myself,” said Hajek, who will attend the University of Vermont in the fall. “My last match today - it’s a bummer.”

Ditto for Abbey Wexel, a senior who like Hajek has been part of two state championship teams. Bothered by the heat and the consistency of Annie Larsen, Wexel fell 6-3, 6-3. She now moves on to the University of Albany where she will play volleyball.

Reid, who hadn’t lost all season at No. 4, led Meg Kristofak 5-2 in the first set before falling 7-5, 6-2. Showing off a volleying technique she has kept quiet much of her career, Reid kept Kristofak off balance before succumbing to nerves in the first set.

“I’m going to be so much better next year,” Reid vowed. “We’re going to win it next year.”

No doubt that is a realistic goal for these Falcons, who will return four of their top six. Seniors Wexel and Hajek, however, have been part of a legacy that includes seven consecutive region titles and six trips to the state semifinals.

“When I first came to Cox, I didn’t know anyone,” Hajek said. “Now these girls are some of my best friends.”

Vicki L. Friedman, (757) 477-6874 or VickiL120@cox.net