Sophomore Julia Wallace Repeats as Frederick County Tennis Champion In Singles

WHS Lions Pride Original Story:

by Emma Bernardoni

The Walkersville girls and boys Varsity Tennis teams competed in the Frederick County Championships on Monday, and achieved varying degrees of success.

Girls doubles partners freshman Carly Heller and sophomore Gabby Zeller won in the play-in round and senior Anna McClatchie and freshman Olivia Keyes won their first matchup.

“Tennis was a really new sport to me at the beginning of the season, and it was both fun and challenging to learn. We had wins and losses, but overall it was a great season,” shared sophomore Gabby Zeller.

In the mixed doubles, junior Julia O’Connell and senior Rian Wambach won in the first round. Boys doubles partners senior Josh Miller and sophomore Hunter Owen won a match in the play-in round.

Sophomore Ben Smith won his first match in the boys singles tournament. “It was a fun season and we all made a lot of great memories together. Hopefully we’ll do better next year, but we’ll all be cheering for Julie now,” said Smith.

Sophomore Julie Wallace shined, completing a sweep of the Frederick County girls singles championship. She entered the tournament as the number one seed and dominated the run of play, repeating as the girls singles champion for the second year in a row.

“I played well and I’m really happy that I won because I felt like I was under a lot of pressure. I wanted to do as well as I did last year, and I’m happy that I performed well,” shared Wallace. “I definitely think I’m getting better, and I’m looking forward to the rest of postseason.”

Wallace has been dominant all season, and continued her undefeated streak at counties. She has not lost a match yet this season, and will enter the regional tournament as the number one seed.

Wallace is the reigning regional champion, and will look to defend her title on Friday, May 19th at Baker Park in Frederick. Both finalists on Friday will advance to the state tournament.