Sara Dunn Finishes Mercer Tennis Career At KHSAA Singles Tournament
The Harrodsburg Herald/Samuel Warren
Sara Dunn forehanded a return during her KHSAA state tournament round of 32 match with Ella Cason on Tuesday, May 28, at Berea College.
Samuel Warren
Herald Staff
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Last week, Mercer County tennis star Sara Dunn achieved the highest recognition of her over 10-year career when she was awarded the regional trophy in Danville. Dunn has qualified for the state tournament each of the last three seasons but finished as runner-up in the regional tournament in both her sophomore and junior seasons.
In each of her previous state tournament appearances, Dunn opened the tournament with a victory and fell in the second round. On Tuesday, May 28, Dunn defeated Briana Adams of Knott Central High School 6-2, 6-1 and advanced to the round of 32 in the KHSAA singles tournament at Berea College. Adams’ last match ended in a loss in the semifinal of the 14th Region tournament, which is why she had to face a higher seed like Dunn in the first round.
Dunn was in high spirits ahead of her round of 32 match with Ella Cason of Owensboro Catholic High School. A week ago, Cason swept the 3rd Region tournament, winning four straight matches, eighth straight sets, 6-0. She came into this match with the same attitude and immediately pressured Dunn. The first two games were close and narrowly lost by Dunn, but little by little, Cason’s consistency began to wear Dunn down; it just wasn’t meant to be. The second set finished much quicker than the first, 6-0, in favor of Cason.
“I am proud of my accomplishments,” said Dunn. “I am a region champ, three-time state qualifier, and I have made it past the first round all three years at the state tennis tournament. I had a great career at Mercer. I will always be a Mercer County Titan. Once a Titan, always a Titan.”
