After trying matches in the quarterfinals and semifinals, Xavier Prep had an easier time taking the state team badminton final, recording a 5-1 win over Chaparral on Thursday night at Independence High School.

It's the second title in three years for Xavier and coach Nancy Meyer, who lost the title match to Chaparral (16-3) last year, 5-2.

Xavier got singles wins from Jessica Michael, Alison Kelly, Carina Arellano, Erin McKenna and Jaime Hulsey.  Chaparral's lone match winner was Courtney Foltz. The finals idn't have to go to doubles as Xavier won clinched the match in singles play. Xavier defeated Chaparral in a regular season match, 5-2, two weeks ago. 

Xavier finished the season 19-0 and was no worse for the wear after quarterfinal and semifinal wins by scores of 5-3 each over Mountain Pointe and Gilbert, respectively, earlier in the week. Xavier's Kerstin Ozkan, who didn't win on Thursday, more than did her part earlier in the week.

"We had tough matches against Mountain Pointe and Gilbert, and Kerstin came up big for us in both of those," Meyer said as the Gators were on their way to celebrate the title that eluded them last year.

 

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