What was shaping up as a memorable week for Marcellus athletics began with some history provided by the girls tennis team.
For the first time in a quarter-century, the Mustangs won a league title, pulling away from the rest of the field in the Onondaga High School League Freedom National division and capping that effort with Monday’s 6-1 victory over Cortland.
Not since 1989 had Marcellus finished in first place, largely because, in the OHSL Liberty division and its predecessors, other strong sides were always in front of them.
Now, having moved up to the Freedom National division, Marcellus, coached by Ryan Thayer, flourished, going 11-1 in league play and 12-2 overall.
And the Cortland match, which took place on Senior Day, reflected that effort throughout the fall, starting with a sweep of all three singles matches.
Rickie Maxon had the closest call, but still beat the Purple Tigers’ Jackie Phillips 6-2, 7-6. By contrast, Haley Randall shut out Lyudmila Levitskaya 6-0, 6-0, with Rebekah Mullins putting together a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Katherine Musci.
The lone blemish came in fourth doubles, where Cortland’s duo of Allison Hohl and Hannah Sidebottom worked past Maddie Conklin and Hannah Tarolli 6-2, 6-3.
Otherwise, Marcellus rolled, starting with first doubles, where Audrey Cerrone and MaryKate McHale rolled to a 6-3, 6-4 win over Delaney Marshall and Jennifer Wang.
After getting past a first-set tie-breaker, Alexandra Burrows and Genevieve Rao rolled past Shaniqua Artis and Jessica Stramba 7-6, 6-1. Kaylee McVey and Abby Vetsch were steady in their 6-3, 6-2 victory over Chelsea Breed and Kali Oaks.
