Christ Church tennis player reaches 11th state final

Every once in a while, Paula Pieper's athletic season of the moment ends before it goes the distance.

To be exact, twice in the last five-plus years. Two out of 13 varsity sports.

"It is kind of weird when it ends early," Pieper said with a smile. "I go, 'Oh, so that's what it's like.'"

Pieper, a senior at Christ Church, advanced to her 11th state final Monday when the Cavaliers defeated Southside Christian School 7-0 in the Class AA girls tennis Upper State championship match.

Christ Church (16-0) will play Academic Magnet in the state final at noon Saturday at the Cayce Tennis Center.

Pieper has been a member of Christ Church's varsity tennis team since the seventh grade, and the Cavaliers have reached the final each year, winning in 2013 and 2016.

She's also been a key player on the school's basketball and soccer teams, playing in basketball finals each of the past three years (with wins in 2014 and 2015) and in soccer finals in 2014 and 2015.

That's 11 state finals and four state championships. So far. With one more basketball and one more soccer season to come.

"I think it's just a testament to the school and all the teams I got to be a part of," Pieper said. "It's such a good athletic program, and I just picked the right teams and got lucky that way.

"Every team I've been on has been phenomenal. Like I've been on varsity tennis since seventh grade, and I've played the same position. It's strong players every single year. Even if I get better, I'll stay the same position because we just are so deep."

Pieper has played No. 2 doubles for six years: the first with her sister, Anna, who was then a senior; the next with Lindsay Hardy; then with Jenna Taylor for three years; and this year with Abby Riddle.

All have been successful, as have the teams.

"And it's good because you get to carry that over into the next sport," Pieper said, "so from the tennis championship we went into basketball, and you're just not quite as nervous because you've been in the same kind of position.

"I guess you try to make winning a habit."

Safe to say Pieper and her Christ Church teams have done that.

• Christ Church was without regular No. 1 singles player Day Nuckolls, who was competing in a tournament in Georgia. Lauren Allen played No. 1 and rolled to a 6-0, 6-1 victory.

Lauren Allen, a senior, also played No. 1 doubles with her sister, freshman Sarah Allen, for the first time, and the two were victorious, 8-2.

CLASS AA UPPER STATE FINAL
Christ Church 7, Southside Christian 0
L. Allen d. Hogen 6-0,6-1; S. Allen d. Dinkel 6-0,6-0; Carter d. Noh 6-1, 6-0; Nuckolls d. Davis 6-1, 6-0; Price d. Peck 6-1, 6-2; L.
Allen/S. Allen 8-2; Pieper/Riddle 6-0, 6-2. Record: Christ Church 16-0.