Arnold all-time leader in wins for PC tennis

The name Grace Arnold won't soon be forgotten. Already a three-time state qualifier, Arnold became the all-time leader in career wins for Port Clinton girls tennis last week with 123 victories. She broke a tie with Chelsea Beck, Aubrey Gillman, and Samantha Griffin, who each won 121 matches for the Redskins. "When people see my name on the record boards, I hope they are inspired to have goals for themselves," Arnold said. "I looked up to all the previous names on the record boards and hoped to be up there with them. "I hope that girls that play tennis after me believe that they can also work hard to achieve their goals." Arnold, a senior, is 33-5 overall this season, which includes an 18-3 record in singles competition. "It's not just this year," PC coach Joe Miller said. "Grace has devoted herself to this sport and our program for the past four years. She trains year-round, plays in tournaments, and has been a captain of our team the past two seasons. "When you combine her work ethic with her experience, it's a recipe for success." Arnold has spent a lot of time teaming with Nora Pixler. The two are a No. 2 seed in the district tournament that begins Wednesday at their home courts. They will take on Lexington seniors Hannah Remy and Lily Thomas. "Nora is one of my good friends," said Arnold of her classmate. "She is very determined when on the court, but she has her ups and downs just like me, and we go through them together. We try to keep each other's heads up and try not to let mistakes get us down. "Off the court, she is always there for me and is a great friend." A victory could pit Arnold and Pixler against Maumee Valley Country Day's Mari Shannon and Sofia Avram in the go-to state qualifying match. Arnold was defeated by Shannon in singles action Monday in the Ohio Tennis Coaches Association state quarterfinal. "Tennis is such a mental game, and I think Grace has grown the most in that area," Miller said. "She's up against every school's best player, so she's always got to be prepared for a tough match that's going to challenge her physically and mentally. "She's a pretty quiet person, so it's been fun to watch her become a vocal leader on this team." Arnold and Pixler had a tough task last weekend at the sectional finals. They had to face teammates Shantha Weit and Megan Zgodzinski for the sectional championship. Weit and Zgodzinski came out on top 6-4, 6-1. "Having to play our teammates for the sectional final was hard," Arnold said. "Knowing that one of us had to lose was frustrating because I wish that we both could've won. Megan and Shantha played the best tennis I have seen them play, and I am so proud of them and how much they have grown." The task ahead of qualifying for state for a fourth time is daunting, but Arnold won't ever forget how her time at Port Clinton was spent. Her name will live on through time for future PC tennis players. "My senior season has definitely been one to remember," Arnold said. "I couldn't have had such a successful season without my team and my coaches. They have been so supportive, and it has helped me to stay confident in myself. I am very proud of myself for what I have done at PC. "If you would have told freshman me that I achieved all this, I would not have believed you." District tournament starts Wednesday The Division II district tournament begins at 10 a.m. Wednesday. The district finals are scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday back at Port Clinton. On the bottom half of the draw, Weit and Zgodzinski (30-1) are a No. 1 seed in the doubles bracket and will take on Ontario sophomores Ellie Dawson and Sophie Shuster. With a win, PC would face either No. 2 Myleigh Andrews and Courtney Kendrick from Bryan or No. 3 Allyson Harnishfeger or Briley Kaple from Bath. On the top half, No. 4 Brynn Catlett and Jencyn Gennari from Perkins battle No. 1 Makenna Wuertz and Aly Brokaw from Clear Fork. If the senior duo from Perkins can pull the upset, they'd face either No. 2 Brailynn Murphy or Alivia Mack from Shawnee or No. 3 Olivia Stumbo and Lorena Guardia from Ottawa Hills. Also in the bottom half, No. 3 Ariah Farrar and Kenzlie Guhn from Clyde face No. 2 Courtney Howarth and Payton Bruskotter from Shelby. If victorious, they'd battle either No. 1 Alexa Heffner and Alana Heffner from Lima Central Catholic or No. 4 Emma Elkins and Shayla Frank from Bryan. In singles action, Port Clinton senior Anastasia Hughes (33-3 overall, 27-3 singles) is a No. 1 seed on the bottom half. She opens with Bluffton senior Hannah Nieman. If Hughes wins, she'd face either No. 2 Valentina Buchkova from MVCD or No. 3 Sophia Ellis from Ontario. Edison senior Liz Campbell (21-2) is a No. 2 seed on the bottom half. She battles MVCD senior Layan Ridi. If Campbell advances, she'd take on either No. 1 Maggie Schmiedebusch from Ottawa-Glandorf or No. 4 Anna Ferback from Perkins. On the top half, Norwalk senior Lydia Trost is a No. 2 seed and faces No. 3 Riya Naroor from Shawnee. If Trost can get by that match, she would face No. 1 Bryn Tangeman from Ottawa Hills or No. 4 Maggie Wallace from Lexington. St. Mary Central Catholic's Rachel Spicer (19-8) is a No. 3 seed. The junior faces No. 2 Isabelle Thobe from Celina. The winner of that takes on either No. 1 Uloedo Ezike from Lexington or No. 4 Shivani Pindiprolu from Ottawa Hills.