By Andy Hutchison
MILFORD — Staples High’s No. 1 doubles tandem of Karenna Birns and Audrey Kercher won the State Invitational championship Friday.
Seeded third, the Staples tandem defeated the top seed from Fairfield Ludlowe, 6-4, 6-3, in the finals after beating the No. 2 seed from Amity of Woodbridge, 6-0, 6-1, in the semifinals.
The semis and finals were moved indoors from Wesleyan University to Milford Indoor Tennis Club because of unhealthy air quality caused by Canadian wildfires.
“The girls played incredibly well, did not drop a set in the semifinals and finals,” Coach Jena Wider said.
“They are both champions on and off the court, and we were all blown away by their tenacity, strength and laser focus — a tour de force. I am beyond proud to be their coach.”
Boys net success
The Staples boys tennis team had a tremendous season as the No. 12 seed worked its way through qualifying-round status to a run to the pinnacle match in the Class LL bracket.
The Wreckers defeated No. 21 Stamford 6-1 in the qualifier, then bested No. 5 Hall 5-2 in the first round, toppled No. 4 Glastonbury 6-1 in the quarterfinals, and took down No. 1 seed Fairfield Prep 4-1 in the semis.
But Staples saw its magical run end in a 4-0 setback to No. 2 Greenwich in the finals at Wesleyan on June 1.
Andy Hutchison has been covering school sports — including Staples athletics — as well as news and feature stories in Fairfield County, since the 1990s.
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