Anniston AL Anniston, Alabama The Donoho ladies return with another AHSAA “red map” following a massive jump in classification as a result of the competitive balance rule
The girls’ tennis team from Donoho was able to withstand a huge jump during the season, and still took home the AHSAA map trophy at the state tournament.
The Falcons made it to the semifinals with five of the six singles courts and three doubles courts. They were crowned Alabama State Class 4A-5A champions for the third time in consecutive years.
Donoho was a 1A-3A runner-up between 2021 and 2022 and their successes resulted in them receiving enough points under the AHSAA’s competitive balance system that allows private schools to move up into the next competition category for the current season. This meant that schools with 1A enrollment was required to compete in 4A-5A tennis.
“I am very proud of our students,” Donoho coach Kristie Alderman told the media. “The leap of 1A up to 4A-5A is an enormous one and they took on the challenge, and ended up finishing runner up in the biggest category in the AHSAA.
“The 4A-5A classification is comprised of eight sections, which means that 16 teams are eligible for the state championship. It was a major shift for us. Class 1A-3A is comprised of only four sections, and consequently there are only eight qualified players, therefore, the brackets are smaller. Being able to compete like we did in a 16-person bracket is awe inspiring.”
Lily Grace Draper, Claire Hillman, Blair Kitchen and Anne Marie Harris reached the semifinals. Harris placed second in the No. 6 singles.
Hillman-Draper, Mary Marshall Perry and Avery Barnett and Kitchen-Harris all made it to the semis on 3 double courts.
Donoho earned 43 points for the team, eight higher than the third place LAMP. The state champion UMS Wright had 76. UMS Wright had 76. Read more stories about sports…]
