OHSAA Division II girls state tennis: Gilmour Academy freshmen duo wins title; Orange freshman is singles runner-up

WOOSTER, Ohio – Gilmour Academy’s Grier Peckham and Caroline Koch have played tennis together since they were little.

On Friday, the freshmen duo’s chemistry was on full display as they claimed the OHSAA Division II state doubles championship at the College of Wooster. They defeated Kennedi Washington and Ginevra Muratori from Dayton Miami Valley in straight sets (6-4, 6-1).

“It means so much to us, especially being freshmen. I’ve known her [Grier] since I was in kindergarten,” said Koch. “To win with her means everything.”

“We’ve played since we were little, so doing this together means a lot,” added Peckham. “Staying simple and hyping each other up, that’s what got us through it.”

The Lancers duo jumped out to a 5-3 lead in the championship before closing out the first set, 6-4. They then reeled off six out of the next seven games to secure the title.

“The first set, we knew we had to stay calm and play solid and get back to our basics,” said Koch. “I think the match before prepared us for the final.”

Earlier in the day, the freshmen overcame the senior duo of Caroline Brown and Cassie Larsen from Cincinnati Indian Hill in the semifinal, winning in three sets (6-3, 5-7, 6-2). It was the first set the Lancers pair had lost all tournament.

“They are so gritty. They lost that second set, and they could have easily given up in that moment,” said Gilmour Academy coach Claudia Althans. “I was so proud of them for the way they fought for that third set.”

For Althans, she knew these two were capable of such an accomplishment in the first tournament of the season, when they paired up in the Columbus School for Girls tournament.

“I saw them play doubles for the first time in a while in the first tournament of the year. I was completely wowed and knew they could win a state title playing like this,” said Althans. “I’ve been working with them since they were 9 years old, so this is really a full circle moment for all of us.”

Singles

In singles, another freshman – Genevieve Hayden from Orange – was just as impressive, finishing her first season as runner-up. She fell to three-time state champion, junior Amiya Bowles of Bexley, in the DII singles championship (6-4, 6-1).

“I’m really proud of the effort she made to get here,” said Orange coach Rich Bole. “I think the moment was a little big for her today, but that’s going to be a big growth area for her moving forward. The run she made is remarkable for a kid that age.”

Hayden advanced to the title with a decisive victory (6-4, 6-4) over two-time state doubles champion, Mallory Hitchcock of Eaton.

“That was a great win for her,” said Bole. “I loved her mental approach in that match. I’m really proud of her overall.”