Washington tennis player Kiara Smith made a push for the state tournament but came up just short as she fell 5-7, 6-2, 6-6 (7-5) to Northern Nash’s Sarah Hansen in the NCHSAA 3-A regional state qualifying tournament in Wilson on Friday.
“She worked so hard,” Washington tennis coach Phedora Johnson said. “She really wanted the win. She was incredibly tenacious and was really good taking it one point at a time.”
Smith won the first match 7-5, before falling in the next one 6-2. The Pam Pack junior’s season would come to an end in heartbreaking fashion as she last a 7-5 tiebreaker in the third and final set.
Smith would finish the season with an 11-3 singles record.
“She had a really strong season,” Johnson said. “She just worked really hard. She learned some new things and was able to implement them during the regional competition. She is such a great example for future tennis players.”