Pelz leads SMCC into contention in SBC Bay

SANDUSKY — Gianna Pelz has been an automatic point for St. Mary Central Catholic's girls tennis team this season. Pelz, a senior, is 9-0 in dual matches and has not lost a set. That streak continued Tuesday when she defeated Huron's talented No. 1 player Brianna Miller, 6-0, 6-0. "I've been playing pretty well, especially in matches where I've had to persevere through different conditions," Pelz said. "It was pretty hot out, obviously. When got to the courts it was 97 degrees. The heat's definitely been a problem this year." SMCC's match against Huron — which serves as a de facto elimination match in the Bay with both teams coming in with one loss and Port Clinton undefeated — was pushed back to a 6 p.m. start at Battery Park. It was close to finishing when a storm rolled into downtown Sandusky, postponing the match. The teams could resume the match Wednesday or wait until Sept. 24 when they play in Huron. The Panthers are leading 2-1 and leading at No. 2 singles. SMCC's No. 1 doubles team of Bailey Woodruff and Bella Matthews won 6-4, 6-3 against the Tigers' Claire Daugherty and Emma Gilbert. "Bailey at first doubles is really experienced," Pelz said. "We can rely on her to carry any position. She has a strong mental game and a great ground stroke." Pelz and Woodruff are the Panthers' only seniors. Woodruff is in her fourth season playing on the Panthers' top doubles team. Huron earned the match's first point when Ally Murray defeated Elizabeth Farrar 6-0, 6-0 at No. 3 singles. SMCC's Rachel Spicer defeated Rachel Merkens 6-2 in the first set at second singles and was leading 4-3 in the second when play was suspended. Huron's No. 2 doubles team of Emma Barnes and Brynne Hartley split the first two sets with Lauren Maxwell and Caitlyn Collins and is leading 1-0 in the third. The winners of the match will get another shot at Port Clinton in an attempt to tie for first in the Bay. SMCC hosts the Redskins on Sept. 5 while Huron hosts PC on Sept. 10. "That's definitely the one we're looking forward to next week," Pelz said. Pelz is aware of what lies ahead beyond PC, too. "Going through the schedule, I'm the type to analyze which matches I could lose," she said. "I'm preparing myself for possible disappointment, so starting off this strong has been great and it's great momentum going into the second half of the season." Pelz has had very little disappointment in a stellar senior season. "I like to call her The Machine," SMCC coach Daniel Miller said. "That's how her game operates. She's generally very level-headed. She does what she needs to do to win. "It may not look flashy, but she's put in a ton of work. Definitely one of the area's best players. She mixes a strong mentality with great athletic ability and a strong work ethic." Pelz is working for another run at the state tournament. Last year, she teamed up with Spicer at doubles. The duo won a match at the district level and needed one more win to qualify for state, but lost in three sets. "That was really heartbreaking, but it's also given me a lot of motivation to work hard," Pelz said. "State is definitely attainable, whether it's me at singles or with Rachel in doubles."