Rebels win school's first 5A state tennis crown

It was a historic day for the Leake Academy tennis team on Thursday in the Class 5A state tournament.

Leake got its first-ever state championship in tennis as sophomore Taylor Allen cruised to the Class 5A No. 1 singles state championship.

Allen, a Philadelphia native, easily won her first-round match as she beat Brookhaven’s Taylor Douglas 6-0, 6-0 in about 45 minutes.

Allen then met a familiar foe in the championship the championship game in Lamar’s Britton Dunn. It was the fourth meeting between the two players this season and Allen had won all of them in convincing fashion.

Thursday was no different for Allen. After losing the first game of the match, Allen then ripped off six straight points to win the first set 6-1. Allen was up 1-0 in the second set when rain delayed the tournament for an hour. With the second game at deuce, Allen won both points to go up 2-0. She then reeled off four more points to win her first state championship.

“Seeing Taylor win a state championship was truly incredible,” Leake coach Haley Warner said. “I have had the opportunity to watch Taylor play for the past three years. As a seventh grader, we knew a state title was in her future. It was amazing to see all her hard work and dedication pay off. She is extremely talented and I look forward to seeing what next season brings for her.”

In the boys No. 1 singles, eighth grader William Warner also made the finals. Warner had a tougher time in the first set but eventually won 7-5 in the first set against Adams Christian’s Zaide Paine. Warner then found his stride and won the second set 6-1 to take the win and advance to the championship series.

But Warner hit a buzz saw in the championship against Natchez Cathedral’s Alex Monagan, who was seeking his fourth straight Class 5A championship. Monagan completed his perfect season, winning 6-0, 6-0 and didn’t give a game the entire season.

“I am not only William’s coach, but I am also his mother,” Warner said. “So this year has been especially rewarding. He began taking lessons in the third grade. It’s been great to see him develop his skills over the past few years. His growth from a seventh grader to this year as an eighth grader has been remarkable. It was beyond exciting to see him make it all the way to the state championship. His future in tennis is definitely bright.”

In girls No. 2 singles, senior Shelby Ruldoph lost in her semifinal match to eventual champion Parklane, 6-4, 6-0 after finishing runner up in the district and North 5A tournaments.

“Shelby is an incredible player,” Warner said. “I have never seen anyone with more stamina than Shelby. It is common for Shelby to play two and three-hour matches. She never gives up. We can always count on her to give 100 percent every match. She is such a team leader and LA tennis will definitely be at a loss without her next season as she continues her education at Mississippi State.”

Leake also finished in a three-way tie for second for the girls 5A state championship with Parklane and Bayou but won out on a tiebreaker, which came down to sets lost and games lost.