New Albany, Hartley, Columbus Academy players win state titles

Central Ohio captured three girls tennis state championships Oct. 20 at Elysium Tennis Center in Plain City.

In the Division I doubles final, New Albany High School’s Cristina and Francesca DiLorenzo defeated Dublin Jerome’s Emma and Sarah Stein 6-2, 4-6, 6-3. The DiLorenzos — Cristina is a senior and Francesca is a sophomore — lost only two sets between them in singles and doubles play this season, both to the Steins. The state final was a rematch of the district final Oct. 13 at Hilliard Davidson, which the DiLorenzos won 6-4, 3-6, 7-6.

Hartley’s Rachael Morales won the Division II singles title, defeating DeSales’ My Linh Li 6-0, 6-2 in the final. Morales went 4-1 against Li this season, the only loss coming 7-5, 6-3 in the district final Oct. 13 at Columbus School for Girls. Li had upset 2011 champion Rachel Nelson of Millersburg West Holmes 6-4, 6-4 in a semifinal.

In the Division II doubles final, Columbus Academy’s Andrea Ballinger and Hannah Wexner defeated Gates Mills Hawken’s Sydney Green and Emily Leizman 6-2, 6-3.

In the Division I doubles consolation final, Watterson’s Lauren Ghidotti and Katie Shepherd defeated Jerome’s Eleanor Bullock and Caitlyn Merzbacher 7-5, 6-3.

The semifinals and finals originally were scheduled to take place at Davidson, but were moved indoors because of bad weather.