Morgan Galusha typically teams on the No. 1 doubles tennis team for Arlington. Along with partner Bridgette Burkholder, the pair has been playing well all season for the Eagles.
However, with Andrea Parlin still out due to injury, coach Sean Cunningham took a chance for the May 2 match with Marysville and split up his top doubles team, putting Galusha at No. 1 singles and Burkholder at No. 3.
The move paid big dividends as Galusha trounced her Marysville opponent 6-0, 6-0 with a stream of steady returns. Her frustrated opponent pounded her racket into the court with disgust after some poor shots allowed Galusha to take control of the match early.
Said Cunningham.
Thats Morgan. Shes tough mentally. She would be a good player at No. 1 singles because she hits the ball so consistently.
Galusha felt glad to have an opportunity in the singles game.
I was really excited. I stayed in it and was very patient. I waited for my shot. I think she beat herself on a few of the points.
However it happened, she won so convincingly that one is left to wonder what might have been had she played singles all year.
In the No. 2 slot, Megan Graham played one of her most consistent matches of the season, winning 7-6, 7-5. Nobody questions Grahams natural ball-striking talent, but her trouble keeping the ball in play has cost her some winnable matches this year. Against Marysville, Graham put it all together and won an impressive match, coming from 5-6 behind to win the first set in a tie break, then winning the second set 7-5.
In the No. 3 singles spot, Bridgette Burkholder started strong, leading 3-0 in the first set, but then could not maintain her momentum, losing the first set 6-4 and the second 6-1.
Since Burkholders regular No. 1 doubles unit was missing, the No. 2 doubles group of Sparks and Vienhage stepped into their place. They performed admirably at the No. 1 spot, giving Marysville all they could handle before eventually falling 7-5, 6-4.
The No. 2 doubles match, played by Lauren Kelly and Kelly Hamilton went even better for Arlington. They won their fourth varsity match together 6-2, 6-2. Afterwards, Hamilton sounded pleased with the result.
Were pretty evenly matched with them. It was the wind that made things difficult, it was hard to tell where the ball would go.
Kelly and Hamilton won for the fourth time in five varsity appearances after being called up from JV late in the season.
After the match coach Cunningham discussed his strategy.
I moved some freshman into the third doubles spot. It was a gamble but I like the way theyve been moving on the court. I wanted to give Morgan a chance in singles, and I feel like both her and Bridgette had a good chance to win.