West Florence Girls Tennis Team Celebrates Senior Day with Victories

Florence, SC, October 3, 2025

News Summary

The West Florence Girls Tennis team celebrated their senior day with impressive wins against Sumter, reinforcing their strong season as they aim for a state championship. The team, under coach Abby Sullivan, currently boasts a remarkable record of 13 wins and just one loss. On senior day, the team secured two 6-0 victories, showcasing their skill and teamwork as they prepare for the upcoming state playoffs starting October 23.

Florence, SC – The West Florence Girls Tennis team celebrated their senior day by securing dominant victories against Sumter, marking an exhilarating achievement for the Knights as they continue their pursuit of a state championship this season.

On this significant day for the team, West Florence’s senior players—Caroline Collins, Kessler Richardson, Emma Watford, Lillian Guerriero, and Mattie Segars—were honored as they contributed to a strong season where the team currently holds an impressive record of 13 wins and just 1 loss.

West Florence Girls Tennis began its journey in the fall of 2020, emerging amidst the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. In the years that followed, the team has worked diligently to improve its skills and camaraderie, achieving a remarkable feat of winning their region championship during their inaugural season. Over the past six years, the Knights have built a solid and competitive program and are now focused on claiming the state championship title.

In this season, under the guidance of coach Abby Sullivan, the team has demonstrated unwavering dedication through rigorous offseason training and consistent performances throughout the season. The Knights have been undefeated in their region, reaching the Class 4A Lower State finals both in 2023 and 2024, and earning their latest region title this year.

During the doubleheader against Sumter on senior day, the Knights showcased their skill and teamwork, achieving 6-0 victories in both matches. The dominant performances included players like Shelby White, Emma Watford, and Mattie Segars, who each delivered flawless wins over their opponents. These significant matches contribute to the team’s overall confidence as they prepare for the upcoming state playoffs set to begin on October 23.

Reflecting on the journey, the Knights’ players have expressed a mix of excitement for what lies ahead and sadness at the thought of saying goodbye to their senior year. The friendships formed throughout their time together in the sport have played a crucial role in their growth as players and as a team.

Coach Sullivan remains optimistic about the team’s aspirations for the state championship, recognizing the hard work and perseverance exhibited by the players all season long. With only one loss this season, the Knights are well-positioned to make a significant impact in the playoffs.

The match results from the senior day doubleheader were as follows:

1. Match 1: West Florence 6, Sumter 0
   • Shelby White defeated Merritt Jones 6-0, 6-0
   • Emma Watford defeated Arden Johnston 6-1, 6-0
   • Mattie Segars defeated Hannah Houston 6-0, 6-0
   • Lillian Guerriero defeated Georgia Sanders 6-0, 6-0
   • Kessler Richardson defeated Mariah Conner 6-0, 6-0
   • Lily Richbourg and Caroline Collins defeated Savannah Johnson and Ellie Flynn 6-1, 6-0
2. Match 2: West Florence 6, Sumter 0
   • Grace Murrell defeated Merritt Jones 6-0, 6-1
   • Elle Brannon defeated Arden Johnston 6-0, 6-0
   • Maia Rivera-Cintron defeated Hannah Houston 6-0, 6-0
   • Lillian Guerriero defeated Georgia Sanders 6-0, 6-1
   • Erin Mills defeated Mariah Conner 6-2, 6-1
   • Emma Watford and Mattie Segars defeated Savannah Johnson and Ellie Flynn 6-0, 6-0

With the playoffs drawing nearer, the West Florence Girls Tennis team stands ready to continue their strong performance and aim for the ultimate prize in their state championship aspirations.

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Additional Resources

• SC Now: Girls Tennis Collection
• Wikipedia: Tennis
• SC Now: Girls Tennis Video
• Google Search: Girls Tennis
• Go Blue Hose: Women’s Tennis News
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Tennis
• Aiken Standard: South Aiken Girls Tennis
• Google News: Girls Tennis Playoffs

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