Ada lands two on tennis list

Bob Forrest Guest Sports Writer Ada Evening News

Ada —  Success didn’t spoil Ada’s Chase Sheffield.

Sheffield, who began his varsity tennis career with a runner-up finish in No. 2 Doubles as a freshman and finished it as part of the two most successful AHS boys teams of this decade, was named Friday to the East All-State squad. He joins Ada girls No. 1 Doubles player Erica Poe as this year’s All-State representatives from a program that has been one of the most successful in Oklahoma under coach Skip Griese for the past two-plus decades.

The games will be played Tuesday, July 27 at 5:30 p.m. at the University of Tulsa.

Fifth at state after moving to No. 1 Doubles as a sophomore, Sheffield teamed with another Ada All-Stater, Brandon Russell, for a clutch third-place finish at last year’s state tournament that lifted the Cougars into a tie for second in the team standings. This year, he was third again — this time with new partner, John Stout — as Ada finished alone in second place behind Bishop Kelley.

“Each year at the state tournament, Chase only lost one match,” said Griese, whose boys squad advanced all six players to the semifinals at last week’s state tournament for the first time since his 1998 team captured the state title. “Chase is an exceptional doubles player, with both the mental and physical game to compete.

“This year’s team EARNED second place,” Griese said. “Everybody had crucial matches during the tournament that they had to win, and they did.”

Sheffield and Stout, who beat the Tulsa Washington duo of Maurice Colbert and Patrick Turner in a three-set marathon in the third-place match at the state tournament, finished the season 22-6.

Poe and partner Madison Whitworth posted back-to-back, fifth-place finishes in No. 1 Doubles at the state tournament on a rebuilding AHS girls squad in 2009 and again this spring on a team that wound up fourth in the team standings.

“Erica had an extremely good career,” Griese said of Poe, who teamed with Whitworth to post a 26-9 record this spring and to win regional titles in both 2009 and 2010. “She played four years, and she played on the second day for points every year.

“Both (Sheffield and Poe) deserved the honor,” he added. “They represented Ada well, and I’m extremely proud of them.”

Lady Cougars Capture Regional Co-Championship

CLASS 5A REGIONAL

At Ada

Team Standings

1. Ada    30

(tie) Tahlequah    30

3. Durant    28

(8 teams participated)

SINGLES

1. Margo Martin (Ada) def. Kirby Shannon (McAlester) 6-0, 6-0 (Third Place).

2. Jennifer West (Ada) def. Brittany Woody (McAlester) 6-0, 6-3 (Third Place).

DOUBLES

1. Erica Poe-Madison Whitworth (Ada) def. Nelson-Whitehorn (Tahlequah) 4-6, 6-1, 7-6 (Championship).

2. Andrea Gourley-Allison Keel (Ada) def. Caney-Linebarger (Tahlequah) 6-1, 1-6, 6-4 (Championship).

NOTEWORTHY: Behind the doubles sweep by Ada, the Lady Cougars pulled off a mild upset as they tied Tahlequah for the regional title. Erica Poe and Madison Whitworth won the No. 1 doubles title, while Andrea Gourley and Allison Keel did likewise at No. 2 doubles. Margo Martin (No. 1) and Jennifer West (No. 2) were each third, meaning all four Ada entries will be at state this weekend.

COACHES QUOTE: “It was a very good afternoon. We pulled off a mild upset by tying Tahlequah for the regional title. Tahlequah was the favorite to win it. The girls played very well, and I hope it carries over into this weekend’s state tournament.” — Ada head girls coach Skip Griese.

Up next: Ada girls at Class 5A State Tournament, Friday and Saturday at Will Rogers Tennis Center in Oklahoma City.

Lady Cougar Tennis Results

GIRLS

Team Standings

1. Edmond North    57

2 Jenks    49

3. Broken Arrow    45

4. Tahlequah    43

5. Edmond Memorial    41

6. Heritage Hall    39

(tie) Shawnee    39

8. Ada    26

(A total of 16 teams competed)

Ada Individual Results

SINGLES

1. Margo Martin (Ada) def. Juiana Sielger (Jenks) by injury default (5th Place)

2. Ashley Maxey (PC North) def. Taylor Alexander (Ada) def. 6-4, 6-4   (13th Place)

DOUBLES

1. Andrea Gourley-Allison Keel (Ada) def. Sullinger-Garza (Seminole) 6-4, 6-3 (Consolation Championship)

2. Carey-Harlow (Tahlequah) def. Kendall McCarty-Tori Ross (Ada) 7-5, 6-4 (Consolation Championship)

NOTEWORTHY: The Lady Cougars were forced to use a makeshift lineup due to missing its three seniors — Erica Poe, Madison Whitworth and Jennifer West — who were out taking ACT test and attending the Ada High prom. Junior High standouts Kendall McCarty and Tori Ross were two of the Ada subs and faired nicely against the stiff field, batting all the way to the consolation championship match before dropping a 7-5, 6-4 decision to a team from Tahlequah.

COACHES QUOTE: “It was the best weather we had all year. There was lots of good play. We (both Ada teams) are about where I thought we would be at this point in the season. We just need to keep improving,” — Ada head coach Skip Griese.

Ada Tennis Results

Friday’s Results

GIRLS

At Shawnee Tournament

Team Standings

(16 Teams Competed )

1. Shawnee 54

2. Enid 48

3. Edmond Memorial 44

4. Hentry 44

5. Ada 43

SINGLES

1. Jennifer West (Ada) def. Cavina Found (Choctaw) 6-0, 7-5 (7th Place)

2. Hannah Hale (Edmond Memorial) def. Holly Dennis (Ada), 7-6, 7-6 (5th Place)

DOUBLES

1. Erica Poe-Madison Whitworth (Ada) def. Nicholson-Wedel (Edmond Memorial) 6-4, 6-2 (3rd place)

2. Kaycie Blackwell-Kristen Baugh (Ada) def. Goetz-Raines (Edmond Memorial) 4-6, 6-3, 6-1 (5th Place)

NOTEWORTHY: Paced by a third-place showing by the No. 1 Doubles team of Erica Poe and Madison Whitworth, the Ada Lady Cougars placed fifth at a loaded Shawnee Tournament on Friday. In one of the most exciting final matches of the day, Hannah Hale of Edmond Memorial knocked off Holly Dennis of Ada 7-6, 7-6 for fifth place in No. 2 Singles.

COACHES QUOTE: “I hope we the momentum we gained on Friday into Monday,” — Ada head coach Skip Griese.

Up Next: Class 5A Regional Tournament Monday, 9 a.m. at Ada Tennis Center.