For the first time in more than 20 years, Liberty’s girls’ tennis team clinched a berth in the District XI Team Tennis Championship by winning its semifinal against Easton, 4-1, last Thursday at Liberty.

“This ends up demonstrating how much of a team sport this is because what ended up happening was, many times throughout the year, the team ended up bailing each other out,” said Liberty coach Chris Conrad. “There were different heroes throughout the season. Everyone played a role every time.”

The Hurricanes began the season with a record of 1-4; then won eight straight matches to qualify for team districts.

In last Thursday’s semifinal, Veronica Lynn won her match at one singles, 6-2, 6-2, and Angie Ronca won at two singles, 6-3, 6-1, but it was the match at three singles that drove the semifinal to more than three hours when Margeaux Donchez won in three sets, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4.

“The first time I played her, it was another marathon match, the second time, it was very quick, but I think she came in with a different mentality today, ready to fight,” Donchez said. “We made districts last year and the year before, but we never made it past the first round. A medal would be nice. As long as the team tries their best, that’s all you can do.”

Sruti Tekumalla and Sofia Horstmann had a comeback win at one doubles, 1-6, 6-4, 6-4.

Hermani Patel and Elise Kney lost at two doubles, 5-7, 2-6.

“I went over to them and wanted to remind them that we’re not here without them,” said Coach Conrad. “We don’t get to this point without them because they won both their [earlier] matches against Easton. Had they not won, we probably wouldn’t be where we’re at.”