“That’s the first time I’ve ever beaten anyone from Beavercreek on the court,” said Khan, now 12-2 at No. 2 singles. “I had her down 5-4 in the third set last year and she had to default with an injury.
“I won, but it didn’t feel right. This one does. I’m not the most talented player out there. I just try to get to every shot, have good placement and let my opponent make the mistakes.
“I never would have thought I could do this four years ago. But I’ve grown as a player like we’ve grown as a team.”
Khan’s win was the only mark on the positive side for the Wildcats as Creek won 4-1. Creek is now tied with Centerville for the lead in the Central Division of the Greater Western Ohio Conference at 3-0. Springfield is 2-1. Both Springfield and Creek are 14-2 overall. Springfield hosts Centerville next Tuesday.
In other matches that Creek won, Amy Ostrow stopped Nicole Pavlatos 6-1, 6-0 at No. 1 and Sadhvi Verkatramani topped Nadisha Nezhad, 6-0, 6-1, at No. 3.
In doubles, Vinaya Gogoine and Karissa Jhangian defeated Kristin Campbell and Farah Chaudray at No. 1 doubles, 6-4, 6-1. At No.2, Simra Ranginwala and Nadia Syed went almost 2 1/2 hours before losing to Hannah Duckro/Anna Jones 3-6, 6-2, 6-4.
“All year long I’ve asked the girls to compete on every point and never give up,” said Springfield coach Deanne Brougher. “We did that tonight. I think it was serve us well the rest of the year.
“It’s satisfying to see the girls play well. When I took over the program six years ago, there’s no way we could stay with Beavercreek or Centerville and now we can.
“Obviously we have a long way to go to compete year-in and year-out with the GWOC’s top programs when it comes to facilities. But we’re working on that. We’re getting more girls to play competitive tennis in the winter and the summer. That’s what it takes if you’re going to be a competitive program every year, not just a couple of seasons.
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