Williamstown’s Isaac Harris celebrates his singles win which clinched a Class AA/A semifinal victory for the Williamstown boys tennis program during the team competition at Thursday’s state tournament in Charleston. (Photo by Kerry Patrick)

CHARLESTON – Right on cue, ‘The Closer’ delivered.

Parkersburg’s Isaac “The Closer” Stephens shook off an apparent leg injury and won his match at No. 4 singles to send the Big Reds into Saturday’s Class AAA championship match for the team portion of the state tennis tournament.

Late Wednesday night at Charleston Catholic Athletic Facility, Stephens defeated University’s Trace McLaren 9-7 at No. 4 singles in a match that lasted nearly two hours and gave PHS the 4-3 win over University.

Leading 6-5, Stephens went down to the ground after chasing down a ball and grabbed for his right knee. PHS coach Eric Stanley had to feel snakebit at that point after his Big Red team last season lost in the semifinals because a player defaulted due to cramps.

“Isaac told me two games prior that he was having a problem, and I was trying my best to control it,” Stanley said. “It was scary because last year we lost in the semis when we lost my No. 4 player to cramping.

Williamstown’s Isaac Harris gives a hug to his doubles partner mother, Jennifer Woodard, after clinching the Yellowjackets’ semifinal win in the Class AA/A team competition, Thursday at the state tennis tournament in Charleston (photo by Kerry Patrick)

“So it was like history repeating itself.”

After spending several minutes with the on-site athletic trainer, Stephens pulled it together long enough to win the final two games of the match and avoid a tiebreaker.

The third-seeded Big Reds, who defeated Hurricane 4-0 in the quarterfinals earlier in the afternoon, meet top-seeded George Washington in the finals – set for an 8 a.m. start.

“To get to the finals, it’s unbelievable,” Stanley said. “I have brought four teams to the tournament, this year being my fifth chance and I got a team to the finals.

“It will be a quick turnaround, so we need to get these kids home and get some food in them then get them back out here in the morning.”

Williamstown No. 1 doubles member Peyton Woodard hits a forehand during the Class AA/A team competition at Thursday’s state tennis tournament in Charleston. (Photo by Kerry Patrick)

Also on Thursday, the Williamstown boys zipped through the Class AA/A bracket at Kanawha City Community Center as the No. 1 seed and dropped just one match along the way with wins over Shady Spring (4-0) and Chapmanville (4-1). The Yellowjackets meet second-seeded Charleston Catholic in the finals set for an 8 a.m. start.

Turning in a similar closer role was junior Isaac Harris, who won his No. 2 singles match against Chapmanville and clinched the semifinal win for the Yellowjackets.

“We were up 3-1, and I was really confident going into my match,” said Harris, who was involved in a massive hugfest afterwards with friends, family and teammates. “That was the same Chapmanville team we played last year and basically the same exact players. This win means everything to get to the final.

“We got second place last year, but we are looking for that one this year. Charleston Catholic has changed their doubles lineup completely. They didn’t stack their No.1 doubles. I feel we have a very good shot.”

Unfortunately on the girls side, Williamstown will not repeat as state champions. After blanking Shady Spring 4-0, Williamstown lost to Charleston Catholic 4-2.

During a changeover, Williamstown assistant tennis coach Amy Strobl, far left, talks with Emmalee Pritchett, middle, and Lauren Deem as part of the Class AA/A team competition at Thursday’s state tournament in Charleston. (Photo by Kerry Patrick)

Addison Woodburn, who is seeded No. 3 in the singles portion of the state tournament and No. 2 with twin sister Peyton in doubles, did not drop a match – singles nor doubles — against Shady Spring nor Charleston Catholic.

“Charleston Catholic was a good team – obviously, it was not our day today,” Addison said. “It’s not how we wanted it to end, but I think all our girls did a good job. We fought until the very end. I’m really proud of us.

“It will be hard getting back at it Friday, but it also fuels you.”

Competing for PHS in doubles for the two matches were twin brothers Alex and Christian Marshall at No. 1, Cale Stutler and Stephens at No. 2, and Thomas Lindenmuth and Jack McLean at No. 3 doubles.

Both Lindenmuth and McLean experienced the state tournament for the first time. McLean, playing for the Big Red tennis program for the first year, settled the nerves down quite nicely.

Williamstown No. 3 doubles member Brooke Mason hits a forehand during the Class AA/A team competition at Thursday’s state tennis tournament in Charleston. (Photo by Kerry Patrick)

“Honestly, I was a lot more excited than nervous,” McLean said. “We’ve seen Hurricane a lot, so we knew what we could do., and we did it.”

Against University, the Marshall twins dropped their match 8-2, while Lindenmuth and McLean won 8-4. Another match which rivaled the intensity of Stepehen’s singles win against University occurred with who else, Stephens.

The No. 2 doubles match went to a tiebreaker and the Hawks won the first three points. PHS, however, answered by scoring seven of the final eight points for a 9-8 (7-4) win.

University won at 1 and 2 singles, while Alex Walker cruised to an 8-1 win at No. 3 as the outcome boiled down to No. 4 singles under the lights.

“I’m more or a runner – I run a lot out there,” said Stephens, who called also fit the moniker as the ‘Human Backboard’ for returning just every shot that comes his way.

The cheering section behind the fence was in full force and red and white gear.

“My parents, they have been supporting me for a long time and it’s great to see them here – I probably could not do it without them,” Stephens said. “And my teammates. They are the best teammates in the world. They cheer so loud. It’s awesome to hear.”