By Jordan J. Michael

SCHENECTADY –– The Lady Dutch varsity tennis team claimed the Section II title on Tuesday at Central Park in Schenectady. The undefeated team beat Shenendehowa, 5 to 4.

Guilderland’s doubles teams swept all three matches from Shen in straight sets, while Kirsten Ackerman and Lindsey Reilly won two singles matches. “Reilly clinched the championship and everyone stormed the court to celebrate,” said Coach Deb O’Brien.

The Lady Dutch beat Shenendehowa earlier this season, 6-3. “All the girls played really well,” said O’Brien. “The doubles teams have been very valuable this season and this group of players is quite deep.”

The girls had a tough 5-to-4 win against Emma Willard on Friday in the sectional semi-finals. Guilderland went undefeated on the season and the win marks the first sectional championship in the team’s history.

“This program has been around since 1976 and we’ve never even had a team in the finals,” O’Brien said. “My head is still spinning because there is more tennis to be played.”

Guilderland has six racquets in the individual sectionals, taking place at Central Park in the coming days. Gaby Peda and Kirsten Ackerman will be a doubles team, as well as Lindsey Reilly and Megan Ryan. Rachael Ellenbogen and Emma Molloy will play singles.

“I feel like these six girls will do well individually,” said O’Brien. “We’re all riding some serious momentum right now.”