In the two months since she moved back to Arkansas, Bentonville freshman Brooke Killingsworth has found a doubles partner in Presley Southerland from Mount St. Mary.
And like she did in the Class 7A finals last week, Killingsworth again found her partner standing between her a championship, this time in the Overall Tournament.
And like she did in the state final, Killingsworth came out the victor. This time it was by a 6-2, 6-3 score over Southerland, who is also a freshman. In the state final it was 3-6, 7-5, 6-2.
"I thought I played well but it's been a tough day,'' said Killingsworth, who returned to Arkansas this year after living in California for three years. "Two tough matches; I was happy with how I was able to play in both matches.
"I just moved in town so I'm sure I am not very well known. I know Presley because we are double partners. It is harder playing her. She is my friend and you never want to play your friend but it is always a lot of fun because it is always a good match. She's a really good player."
Bentonville Coach Nick Nersesian watched the match first-hand.
"Those who watch tournament tennis, they know Brooke is up and coming,'' Nersesian said. "She is a strong player. I don't think the state realizes the caliber of athlete that she is and they got a taste of it today. The nice thing is they get to watch it the next three years."
The singles title was not all for Bentonville. In doubles, the Tigers' senior Taylor-Chueng Damonte and Avery Hargrove rallied from being down 6-5 in the first set to winning 7-6, 6-0 over Fayetteville's Mary Houston and Anna Mauromoustakos. That was also a rematch of the Class 7A final, which the Bentonville pair also captured.
"Looking at the season, and the work the girls put in, and playing up in Northwest Arkansas it prepares you," Nersesian said. "No, you can't see that this was going to be. A lot of good competition down here ... It was just our day."
Killingsworth reached the finals with a 3-6, 7-5, 6-2 victory over Thea Rice of Hot Springs Lakeside. Rice was the runner-up last year. Southerland defeated Alexis Evans of Haas Hall 6-1, 6-0 in the other semifinal.
Sports on 10/28/2016