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Savannah Morning News Honors Spring Sports

Tennis Coaches of the Year

Savannah Country Day tennis coach Lamar Kirkley didn't know what to expect this year as his Hornet squad made the move from Class A Private to Class 3A with a team of young players. But the Hornets clicked at the right time, edging Savannah Christian to win the Region 3-3A title and securing home court advantage through the playoffs. SCD made the most of its opportunity and advanced to the Class 3A title match where the Hornets lost to Atlanta power Wesleyan.

The SCD girls' team also made a memorable run to the finals, beating Bremen on the road in the Final Four before losing to Wesleyan in the finals under coach Carrie Vetrovsky.

Kirkley and Vetrovsky are the Savannah Morning News boys' and girls' tennis Coaches of the Year."This was a special season because I wasn't sure what was coming with such a young team, but the kids came together and all the pieces fell into place," said Kirkley, 71. "We won some close matches early, and I think that gave us confidence. Beating Savannah Christian to win the Region title was the key. That made a huge difference being able to play all of our playoff matches at home in front of our home crowd."

The Hornets bring back nearly everyone, only losing senior captain Jake Felser at No. 2 singles, so Kirkley is looking forward to another strong season next year.

"We had such great team camaraderie from our No. 1 singles player Claudia Birthisel to our No. 2 doubles team of Lilla Brennan and Mary Duval Sumner, who are volleyball players who became such a great doubles team," Vetrovsky said. "They had that fiery, competitive spirit, that will to win at all costs, and it helped our team."

Vetrovsky said she was impressed with Birthisel, who maintained her spot at No. 1 singles while playing the title role in "Les Mis" during the season for the Savannah Children's Theater and excelling in the classroom. Birthisel will continue her education at Texas Christian University.

Henry Berg, Jake Felser and Birthisel are SCD players on the All-Greater Savannah First-Team Tennis team. First-team honorees receive an invitation to the Coastal Empire High School Sports Awards, presented by Georgia Ports, set for Monday, June 5, at 7 p.m., at the Johnny Mercer Theatre. It is produced with support from Chatham Orthopaedic Associates. The Boys and Girls Tennis Players of the Year will be announced at the show.

Tennis 1st Team
Claudia Birthisel, Senior
In her fourth season playing at No. 1 singles for the Hornets, Birthisel helped lead the Hornets to the Class 3A championship match and a state runner-up finish. She posted a record of 18-4.
Henry Berg, Junior
Berg was a star at No. 1 singles for a Savannah Country Day team that won the Region 3-3A title before advancing to the state finals, where the Hornets lost to Wesleyan. Berg posted a record of 17-6 with his only local losses coming in two meetings with Thurmon
Jake Felser, Senior
The senior captain of the Hornets was a consistent presence at No. 2 singles and posted a record of 16-6 on the season — helping lead SCD to the Class 3A finals.
Honorable Mention
Girls- Lilla Brennan, Helen Culver, Skye Horn, Mary Duvall Sumner, Alysa Young
Boys- Nico Dascombe, Wills Davis, Finn Taylor, Paxton Towe, Lawson Zhou

Baseball
2nd Team Tyler Scott
Honorable Mention Brooks Kleinpeter, Garrett Lorfano

Golf 1st Team
Kate Barber, Sophomore
Barber finished second in the Class 3A State tournament behind Miller as the standout sophomore shot 70-71--141 to finish at 3-under par. She won the Savannah City Girls Championship at Bacon Park, with a 31 over nine holes.
Bryn Sorge, Junior
Sorge played a big role for the Hornets, who finished third in the Class 3A state tourney. She shot 82-83--165 to finish sixth individually at state. She was fourth at the Savannah City Girls Championship at Bacon Park, helping lead the Hornets to a team win. She was third in the Area 2-3A tourney with a 79.
William Whitfield, Junior
Whitfield was excellent all season for the Hornets. He won the Lowcountry Invitational with a 143 over two days at Berkeley Hall and Savannah Harbor. He shot 73 and finished fifth at the Savannah City Boys Championship, and was also fifth at the Cadet Cup with a 76. He shot 74 in the Area 2-3A tournament and shot 160 in the State Tournament to finish in a tie for 22nd as SCD finished fifth in the team standings.
2nd Team Caden Hartley, Dallas Hunter, Andrew Messalle
Honorbale Mention Thomas Claiborne, Hunter Goldstein

Lacrosse 1st Team
Arden Watson, Senior, attack
Watson had another outstanding year for the Hornets as he netted 42 goals with 12 assists to earn All-Area 8 first-team honors. He signed to play with Adelphi University in New York.
Zander Paderewski, Sophomore, MF
Paderewski was a big-time player for the Hornets as he had 27 goals, seven assists and 66 ground balls to earn All-Area 8 first-team honors and helped lead SCD to the playoffs.
2nd Team Sawyer Tarr
Honorable Mention Sam Bueno, Ian Foose, Jack Lovell, Cash McCoy, James Rhodes

Soccer Boys 1st Team
Madden Gerlach, Junior, CB
Gerlach helped anchor the back line for a stingy Hornet defense that allowed just 15 goals in 16 games. He added a pair of goals and was an All-Region first-team pick.
Brayden Heiges, Senior, MF
The senior was an important part of the Hornet's successful season as a defensive midfielder on a squad that allowed just .94 goals per game. He scored six goals with four assists and was an All-Region 3-3A 1st Team pick.
Wesley Hooker, Junior, F
Hooker was named the Region 3-3A Offensive Player of the Year as he netted 15 goals with 18 assists in 14 games for an SCD squad that won a region title and advanced to the Elite Eight in the state playoffs.
Honorable Mention Carson Cook, Chase Buerger, Hyers Holland, Cash Ramirez

Soccer Girls 1st Team
Sophia Okumu, Sophomore, MF/F
Okumu had another strong season for the Hornets, who finished the season with a 13-2 record. She had 15 goals and three assists in 10 games and was an All-Region first-team selection
Fiona Wilson, Senior, D
Described by her coach as the "engine" of the SCD squad, Wilson anchored a defense that allowed just 11 goals on the season. She was an All-Region 3-3A first-team pick for a squad that finished second in the region and advanced to the Elite Eight in the state playoffs.
2nd Team Anna Claire Davis, Harris Stone
Honorable Mention Reese Bailey, Emma Bromley, Gracie Daters, Sarah Catherine Gilpin, Ella Stone

Track 1st Team
John Ryan, Senior
Ryan finished second in the 800 meters (1:57.25) and second in the 1600 (4:23.38) at the Class 3A state meet. The Brown University signee had the best times among local runners in both those events this year with times of 1:56.41 and 4:18.05, respectively. He also ran the anchor leg on the SCD 4x800 relay team that finished eighth.
Honorable Mention Devin Beauchamp, Rooster Bing, Kent Burnett, JK James, Chalie Pope and Anna Pollak.

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