Norwich doubles team wins Class B title

Girls’ Tennis

Class B Tournament

OWEGO – Norwich sophomores Bryn Loomis and Sophie Stewart made big strides in one year’s time.

The doubles duo gave Norwich its first sectional tennis title in eight years winning their semifinals and finals matches Wednesday afternoon in the Class B tournament at Owego Free Academy High School.

“The first match, they were a little nervous, and it took time to get that out of them,” said Norwich head coach John Stewart.

Loomis and Stewart, who lost in the quarterfinals last year to the eventual sectional champions, came into this year’s tournament as the number four seed. Stewart said that it was a just seeding as the higher seeds were already established teams.

In winning four matches over the past two days, Loomis and Stewart – first cousins – did not drop a set and did not relinquish more than three games in any of those sets.

“I felt that if we could get past the first match (today), we would be a lot better in the finals,” Coach Stewart said. “And it showed. They played great angles, they volleyed well at the net...they kept two quality players in check by hitting such good shots.”

In the semifinals, Chenango Valley’s number one team, Lauren Eggleston and Kayla Price, fell to the Tornado tandem, 6-3, 6-3.

Facing Haley Farrell and Alicia Garbade of Seton Catholic Central in the championship, Loomis and Stewart dominated winning 6-2, 6-1.

“They have always been able to play, the biggest improvement from last year to this year is that they have more confidence,” Stewart said. “They were definitely the (best) team.”

In team scoring, Norwich is presently in second-place behind Seton Catholic Central. Susquehanna Valley can overtake Norwich for second if its remaining singles player wins the overall singles title. “Our goal was to be a top-three team, and we’ve done that,” Stewart. “We felt if we got a break here or there, we could finish second. We still might do that.”

Loomis and Stewart move on to the Section IV state qualifier on Oct. 30 at the Binghamton Tennis Center.

Boys’ Soccer

Otselic Valley 5, George Jr. Republic 2

SOUTH OTSELIC – Otselic Valley dug itself out of a two-goal deficit in the first half to defeat George Jr. Republic on Wednesday.

Brent Rasmussen scored twice for the Vikings, who scored three times to regain the lead by halftime.

“It was a much better game than the first time we played them,” said OV coach Dave Loomis. “They played very well at the start, and we had to work hard to regroup.”