WHS Tennis (Woodard): Williamstown No. 1 singles player Brady Woodard returns a forehand during the Class AA/A, Region I team competition, Monday at City Park in Parkersburg. (Photo courtesy of Kelly Anderson)

By KERRY PATRICK

Sports Writer

PARKERSBURG – Like clockwork.

After rolling through the regular season undefeated, both the boys and girls tennis programs from Williamstown began its postseason quest without much incident during the team competition phase of the Class AA/A, Region I tournament.

Neither team dropped a game as the Yellowjackets blanked Ravenswood and Wheeling Central on the boys side, while the WHS girls turned in identical results in shutting out Wheeling Central and Oak Glen.

WHS Tennis (Deem): Williamstown No. 4 singles player Lauren Deem chases down a backhand during the Class AA/A, Region I team competition, Monday at City Park in Parkersburg. (Photo courtesy of Kelly Anderson)

“The postseason is what we have been waiting for – we have been looking forward to it,” Williamstown coach Diana Leo said. “We knew we had a good chance because we had gone undefeated for both the boys and girls.”

Seniors on both teams embraced their final quest for competing at the state level. Lauren Deem filled her role at No. 4 singles and joined Parkersburg High School transfer Emily Pritchett as winners at No. 2 singles.

In a sense of irony, WHS girls clinched the regional championship behind Deem and Pritchett. Last season, Pritchett was involved in the win which clinched a regional title for PHS.

“Our connection in doubles is going really well,” Deem said. “I’ve known Emily for a while. We play tennis in the offseason together. We played in a couple of tournaments before the season and we really clicked.

“We had a little flub up today, but we found our groove. We just kind of took a step back and focused on communicating, and really just playing safe.”

WHS Tennis (Girls): The Williamstown High School girls tennis team defeatedWheeling Central and Oak Glen to claim the Class AA/A, Region I team championship, Monday at City Park in Parkersburg. (Photo courtesy of Kelly Anderson)

In the boys field, Deem’s classmate Brady Woodard did not allow a game to either of his two singles opponents. His doubles partner of two years Isaac Harris were on the same page as well for another two non-dramatical wins.

“We all played solid,” said Woodard, who plays No. 1 singles for the Yellowjackets. “Last year was the first time playing doubles with Isaac, so it was definitely a bit trickier learning to play with another partner.

“But this year, it feels much smoother. We played tournaments outside of the season, and it’s gone better.”

When the team competition resumes at the state level one week from Thursday in Charleston, the WHS girls will be seeking a second straight state title. The Yellowjacket boys placed runner-up a year ago.

“It’s my last year here and I would love to get a state championship,” Woodard said. “We have to go through all these other teams and if we can get to the finals it would be a hard match.”

WHS Tennis (Boys): The Williamstown High School boys tennis team defeated Ravenswood and Wheeling Central to claim the Class AA/A, Region I team championship, Monday at City Park in Parkersburg. (Photo courtesy of Kelly Anderson)

Charleston Catholic figures to be the toughest hurdle for the WHS boys. As for the Yellowjacket girls, the entire team is not shy about bringing up the subject for a possible repeat.

“Honestly, we bring it up quite a bit,” Deem said. “We have a good team. We have a lot of people on our team who can get us that far.

“We’ve definitely been working in the offseason, staying late after practice and coming in early to practice on weekends, too. So our team is definitely putting in the work for it.”

Late Monday afternoon once the team portion was complete, several matches for the single-elimination doubles bracket were played out. The plan is to have the complete bracket finished by the end of day Tuesday. The top two placers advance to the state level.

With a threat of rain on Wednesday, several hours of matches for the singles bracket will move indoors to the Greenmont Racquet and Swim Club in Vienna then wrap up on Thursday.

The top four placewinners in singles also advance to state.

“Being my senior year, I’m just trying to have fun with it and get a state title,” said Woodard, who was a member when the boys won a team title two years ago. “This year, I’m just here for the ride. Whatever happens, happens.”

Class AA/A, Region I

At City Park, Parkersburg

Team Competition

Girls

Quarterfinals: Wheeling Central def. Weir; Oak Glen def. St. Marys; Ravenswood def. East Fairmont. Williamstown received a bye.

Semifinals: Oak Glen def. Ravenswood; Williamstown def. Wheeling Central

Championship: Williamstown def. Oak Glen

Boys

Quarterfinals: Ravenswood def. Parkersburg Catholic; Weir def. North Marion. Wheeling Central and Williamstown received a bye.

Semifinals: Williamstown def. Ravenswood; Wheeling Central, def. Weir

Championship: Williamstown def. Wheeling Central