FORT DEFIANCE — Fort Defiance’s historic postseason run came to an end Monday afternoon.
Making their first appearance in the Virginia High School League Class 2 state semifinals, the Indians fell 5-0 to Bruton at Stewart Middle School.
It was a difficult ending to what had already been a memorable season, but first-year head coach Ryan Tenburg did not want her players focusing solely on the final result.
“I’m just so proud of them,” Tenburg said. “This season was bigger than any of us were expecting. … [Today] was our first loss. It’s hard to swallow, but I didn’t want them to walk away disappointed. I thought they left everything out there. I thought they all played fantastic. They (Bruton) were a really good school and they pushed us. I thought we gave it everything.”
Fort senior Maecy Ann Frizzelle fell to Bruton’s Sabrina Sukman 6-1, 6-0 at No. 1 singles, while Indians senior Clara Lambert lost 6-2, 6-2 to Bruton’s Lynne Dang at No. 2 singles.
At No. 3 singles, Fort senior Savannah Monger dropped a 6-0, 6-1 decision to Bruton’s Kailey Lustre, while Indians sophomore Leah Wright was defeated 6-2, 6-2 by Bruton’s Jecy Koak at No. 4 singles.
Fort sophomore Henley Ann Coffman came up just short in a third-set tiebreaker, falling 6-2, 2-6, 10-8 to Bruton’s Elizabeth Sparkman at No. 5 singles.
Tenburg knew the Indians (20-1) had plenty of talent after going unbeaten in Shenandoah District play and capturing the Region 2B championship.
Still, she admitted she did not fully appreciate just how special the group was until the postseason.
“I knew we were really good,” Tenburg said. “We were undefeated in our district, and we have a tough district. … I didn’t want to get my hopes up and I knew they were something special, but then for them to prove it in our last couple matches of just how incredible they are, I was like, ‘Wow, this is serious. This is a really good team.’ Now, looking back, we were undefeated in our district and we did win the region. That’s crazy. I feel like I wasn’t appreciative enough of just how talented they were, and they proved me wrong by going this far.”
Fort Defiance’s Clara Lambert volleys the ball.
Daniel Lin / DN-R
Tenburg noted that all 12 players on the roster recorded a ladder victory this season.
Because of that experience, she believes the future remains bright for the program.
“Having that experience of most of them getting chances to play multiple times on the ladder and starting positions, that experience is gonna carry them so well next season,” Tenburg said.
Fort will lose seniors Frizzelle, Monger, Lambert and Tatum Birt.
With three of those players occupying the top of the singles lineup, Tenburg knows there will be significant holes to fill. However, she is eager to see which returning players embrace larger roles.
“I am so excited to see these girls step into those tougher roles,” Tenburg said. “We have just some incredible off ladder players who could have done just as well on the ladder as some of our ladder players. I’m excited for them to get a chance to actually play in more matches and to prove their talent. We just have such a deep roster and so much talent on this team.”
Tenburg, who replaced longtime coach John Edgecomb before the season, will not return next year as she plans to move to Washington, D.C.
Even so, she hopes to remain connected to the program and believes she is leaving it in a strong position.
“I want to come back as much as I can,” Tenburg said. “I want to help the program if I’m able, but I think I’m leaving it in good hands. I think we have just such an incredible tennis family. I have such wonderful assistants who I know are staying on and I feel confident that it’s in really, really good hands.”
Tenburg expressed gratitude for the opportunity to coach this year’s team, describing the players as a remarkable group who competed hard and maintained a positive attitude throughout the season.
For all of the victories and accomplishments, it is the relationships she built that she will remember most.
“High school girls can be an interesting demographic sometimes,” Tenburg said. “We’ve just had the most wonderful time. Everyone loves each other so much and everyone gets along so well. We have the best practices. This team, this group was just so, so incredible.”