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JONESBORO - Three highly-skilled singles players equal three points.

Walker's tandem of singles stars have been reliable all season and were certainly reliable Friday afternoon in helping the Lady Wolverines defend their Class AA state championship with a 3-1 victory over Wesleyan at Clayton International Park.

The Lady Wolverines won their sixth state championship in the last 11 years a win over the Lady Wolves.

Sydney Grant was perfect in her 6-0, 6-0 victory over Chelsea Michael at No. 2 singles, winning in 40 minutes. Casey Ernstes prevailed 6-2, 6-3 over Caroline Payne at No. 3, bringing the match down to Katherine Oudin, who grinded out a 7-5, 6-3 win over Caroline Price.

"Against a lot of these teams, it's been 3-2 with singles players coming out on top," Walker coach Jan Steffen said. "They are solid players."

Courtney Warner and Caroline Brashier lost 6-4, 6-4 to Abby Nelson and Paige Blair at No. 1 doubles for Wesleyan's only point, while Brittany Lins and Mackenzie Lee didn't complete their match against Brittany Price and Courtney Payne at No. 2.

Walker swept past Thomasville in Friday's semifinal match.

Much attention was focused on Oudin's match with Price after Ernstes clinched Walker's second point. Oudin said she played one of her best games when serving for the match at 5-3 under the extra pressure. The last two points of the match were long rallies and both ended with Oudin groundstroke winners.

Oudin played Price twice this season prior to Friday's match and Oudin won both in three sets after dropping the first. And she came close to dropping the first set Friday.

She made errors and shanked a few routine shots early and found herself trailing 4-3 in the first set before winning four of the next five games - thanks largely to late unforced errors by Price. After winning that first set, Oudin said she felt like a different player.

"I had more momentum," Oudin said. "I felt confident after that first set and she looked a bit tired."

Ernstes, a senior, enjoyed not being the center of attention in her final match of her high school career. The Lady Wolverines state title a year ago weighed heavily on Ernstes, who had to wait two days to complete her match that was halted by rain.

"It's nice not being the last person on court like I was last year," said Ernstes, who is playing at Washington and Lee next season. "I'm glad that I won, but it's also sad."

Ernstes handled Caroline Payne with little trouble, but had difficulty putting her away. The final game of the match went to five deuces before Ernstes converted her third match point.

"I'm glad it all didn't come down to her," Steffen said. "She should just relax and enjoy the hoopla."

acarrington@mdjonline.com

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