.LEXINGTON — Corbin seventh grader Isabella Lopez’s run at the KHSAA Girls’ Tennis Tournament singles championship came to an end on Thursday in semifinal action to No. 2 seed Willow Renton (North Oldham).
Lopez dropped a 6-2, 6-2 decision to Renton while finishing the state tournament with a 4-1 record.
“We are so proud of Bella,” Corbin coach Chris Jones said. “She has the heart of a lion and has definitely put the Kentucky tennis world on notice that she will be a force to be reckoned with for many years to come.
“I said from the beginning that the tournament had underestimated her when they gave her a 9 seed and that certainly played out,” he added. “Bella beat both the 4 seed in the Round of 16 and a 5 seed in the quarterfinals.”
Jones was pleased with the way Lopez continued to battle until the end during her semifinal match.
“She really did play a great semifinal match,” he said. “She gave the 2 seed and former state champion quite the run for her money pushing her harder than anyone in the tournament has pushed her. We couldn’t be any more proud of Bella if she had won the match. She’s a great tennis player on the court and a great kid off the court.”
