Class 4A Region 6 District Playoffs were held at the Wynn Tennis Center in Wiggins on Tuesday, April 6th.
PHS Mixed Doubles Team Peyton Barber & Lane Ladner were going into the tournament seeded #2 having only 1 loss for the season.
They would have to defeat Sumrall in order to advance to the State 4A Individual Tournament Championship.
Their first match of the day was against Sumrall who they had beaten early on during the regular season. During game 4 of the 1st set, Peyton had a mishap on the court which resulted in an ankle injury. After tending to her injury, she returned to the court, but they lost the first set 4-6. During the 1st set rest period, Peyton & Lane regrouped, got some analysis and instruction from Coach Kim Meyers and returned to the court to win the next 2 sets 6-2 and 6-1.
With this win they would advance to the State Playoffs.
Their 2nd match of the day was against Stone County.
Their opponents sported a Mixed Doubles Team that has played competitively for 4 years at State level.
Defeating Stone would assure Peyton & Lane a seed in the top 5 at the State Championship. Earlier in the season their opponents had defeated them easily in 2 sets 6-1 6-1.
This would not be the case today.
Analysis, adjusting defensive and offensive play, and being aggressive at the net offensively by Poplarville drew Stone to make defensive changes that were not always successful.
Lane and Peyton worked a very successful offensive net game which then forced Stone to turn to a long ball baseline to baseline strategy.
This offensive move by Stone drew long or wide return shots from Poplarville.
Poplarville lost the first set 4-6.
Second set saw Poplarville utilize better ball control on the long baseline strategy, faster deep serves, and continued accurate net game. These 2nd set adjustments were hoping to bring a win that would force the match into a 3rd set. However, Peyton & Lane fell short and lost the 2nd set 5-7.
Final score 4-6 5-7.
Peyton & Lane go to State Playoffs as District Runner Up and will be seeded a little lower than the top 5 which they hoped to accomplish.
State 4A Individual Championships will be held at FNC Tennis Center in Oxford, MS on April 26th and 27th.
Congratulations Peyton & Lane and Good Luck at State.
