Seahawks face new hurdle in quest to return to girls’ tennis final

On one hand, Hilton Head Island won’t find Myrtle Beach standing across the net in Monday’s Class 4A Lower State girls’ tennis final.

That’s been the case each of the past four years, the last three of which ended Hilton Head’s season as Myrtle Beach went on the win a state title. But there’s a caveat to seeing AC Flora take the spot opposite the Seahawks this year – it was the Falcons who brought Myrtle Beach’s season to an early end last week.

Hey, anyone that can knock off Myrtle Beach can’t be an easy matchup. In fact, Flora was a state runner-up last year.

“We were ready to play Myrtle Beach,” Seahawks coach Jennifer Weitekamper acknowledged. “But that’s OK. We’re game on right now.”

This marks the 11th consecutive Lower State final for Hilton Head (16-6), a run that includes six state titles in the old Class 3A and a runner-up finish that preceded the Seahawks’ recent frustrations.

“Every year’s a different year,” Weitekamper said. “What does it mean? It’s still another match. It’s still not (a trip to) states if you don’t win it.”

AC Flora has reached the state semifinals in each of the past four years -- but in the Upper State, where they wound up as Myrtle Beach’s opponent in last year’s state final. This year’s realignment process sent the Falcons into the Lower State for the foreseeable future, only adding to its tennis depth.

“This Lower State bracket is not easy,” Weitekamper said. “I would argue that whoever wins this match is probably the favorite for state.”

Four veterans remain from Hilton Head’s last state champions in 2012, led by seniors Sarah Wood and Holly Kerr in the top two singles positions. Both have qualified for next week’s state singles tournament and have been named to the North/South matches. Henry Clare Cram and Nicole Diaz are the other 2012 holdovers.

“The last time we won states, they were the young ones,” Weitekamper said. “Now the veterans would like to do it again.”

The Seahawks also have received a boost this year from newcomer Ariella Stepleman, who took the No. 3 singles slot after moving to the island.

“This team came out more unified and accepting of each other than some previous years,” Weitekamper said. “It’s actually a team mentality. They know they’re each worth a point; they know that we have to win our points. It’s not just about ‘me winning my match,’ which has been a nice change.”

This story was originally published November 6, 2016 at 10:47 PM with the headline "Seahawks face new hurdle in quest to return to girls’ tennis final."