By WESLEY HALLMAN / Sports Editor

The Briarwood Christian School girls’ tennis team captured an Alabama High School Athletic Association Class 5A section tennis tournament championship April 19.

The Lions, who racked up 63 points in the section tournament, swept all six singles’ title matches and all three doubles’ championship matches.

Chelsea, which finished second in the section tournament with 28 points, was represented in three singles’ title matches and one doubles’ championship match.

Both the Lions and the Hornets advanced to the AHSAA Class 5A state tournament April 28-29 at Lagoon Park in Montgomery.

Katherine Combs of Briarwood Christian defeated Raylee Usrey of Sylacauga 6-2, 6-1 in the No. 1 singles’ title match. Susan Jordan of Briarwood Christian defeated Ashlee Epperson of Moody 6-2, 6-3 in the No. 2 singles’ championship match.

Holly Brazeal of Briarwood Christian defeated Shannon Reilly of Chelsea 6-4, 6-4 in the No. 3 singles’ championship match. Catherine Jordan of Briarwood Christian defeated Natalie Foster of Chelsea 6-1, 6-1 in the No. 4 singles’ title match.

Olivia Odom of Briarwood Christian defeated Audrey Vickers of Chelsea 6-0, 6-0 in the No. 5 singles’ championship match. Lauren Bowers of Briarwood Christian defeated Brianna Jaudon of Moody 6-1, 6-1 in the No. 6 singles’ title match.

The Lions’ Combs and Susan Jordan defeated Usrey and Kathleen Giddens of Sylacauga 6-1, 6-2 in the No. 1 doubles’ championship match. Brazeal and Odom of Briarwood Christian defeated Reilly and Audrey Vickers of Chelsea 6-1, 6-1 in the No. 2 doubles’ title match.

Catherine Jordan and Bowers of Briarwood Christian defeated Cherish Miller and Taylor McCullogh of Shelby County 6-0, 6-1 in the No. 3 doubles’ title match.

The Wildcats, who were represented in one doubles’ championship match, finished fifth in team standings with 10 points.