BINGHAMTON – The Norwich girls’ tennis team was represented by three players at the Binghamton Tennis Center on Friday and Saturday for the 2018 New York State Qualifiers tennis tournament.

Lucie Martin appeared as Norwich’s singles player while Ava Granquist and Katie Gawronski arrived as the Purple Tornado’s doubles team.

To start the day, Martin and the Granquist-Gawronski duo each put away their first opponents of the tournament. Martin defeated Alexa Attleson of Chenango Forks (6-1, 6-0), while the Norwich’s doubles team overcame the Chenango Forks ladies, Gianna Rullo and Colleen Samsel (6-2, 7-5).

During the next round, both Norwich teams met up with the number one seeds from Ithaca. Ithaca’s long tradition of excellent tennis was evident as the Norwich’s girls fell to their Big Red opponents in straight sets.

Both Ithaca teams eventually earned spots at the NYS State Championship tournament after reaching the finals.

With each Norwich netter having finished the day with a 1-1 record, both teams qualified to continue to play on Saturday for a chance at third place and a spot at the state tournament.

As Saturday was a single-elimination day, the Lady Tornado teams each had to win two matches in order to earn a place at the New York State Championship tournament to be held at the Tri-City Tennis Center in Latham, NY.

“The remaining teams were the best tennis players in Section IV, and for our ladies to be playing in the second day of this tournament is a big deal,” said Norwich varsity tennis coach John Stewart.