New champions crowned in tennis

Associated Press

HILLIARD

The OHSAA girls state tennis tournament concluded Saturday at Hilliard Davidson High School. The defending champion was defeated in Division I singles, the defending champion won in Div. II singles, while the two doubles champions were sisters and cousins.

Div. I singles saw a new state champion crowned as Sandy Niehaus (Cin. Mt. Notre Dame) defeated returning state champion Niki Flower (Upper Arlington) 2-6, 6-4, 6-4.

In Div. I doubles, sisters Komal and Mehvish Safdar (Cin. Ursuline Academy) won 6-4, 6-2 over Dublin Jerome.

Alyssa Ritchie (Waynesville) became a back-to-back state champion in Div. II singles, winning in straight sets 6-2, 6-0 over Rachel Nelson (Millersburg West Holmes).

Hilliard Bradley cousins Lauren Thai and Ashley Thai won in Div. II doubles, defeating Cin. Hills Christian Academy 6-0, 6-2.